Matchday Surgery

Matchday Surgery

Arsenal and West Ham are the only teams absent from a full Boxing Day programme, giving us an early opportunity to banish the failings of our weekend retuns. Rest and rotation are the enemy today, with an array of Premier League managers shifting their pieces to no doubt cause us much frustration when the teamsheets are revealed. For now, all we can do is speculate and look to protect our squads as best we can as the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini and Rafa Benitez play puppeteer. Our Matchday Surgery Chatroom is now open to help you share the discomfort and anguish as edge closer to the 11.30 deadline.

The day’s Dugout Discussion follows around 2.45 ahead of seven three o’clock kick-offs, with the Boxing Day Pre-match Preamble just around the corner.

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

350 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Home Run Baker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Any news on Rafael starting?

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    1. dul
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Nope:(

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  2. BruLee2
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I went with RVP (C). Pussied out as I couldn't captain Bale nor Michu.

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  3. Egg Chaser
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Rafael to Riise? Yay or nay?

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

      Yay

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  4. The Pep Revolution
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Why is Berbatov suddenly so popular? He has done nothing for weeks. Will Ruis really make that much of a difference to him?

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    1. The Finnisher
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Leave them. Ruiz makes a difference but Fulham will need more than Bryan Ruiz to change the way they are playing.

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        not really

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        1. The Finnisher
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Yes really. They are also missing Diarra and Duff now and their midfield has been awful.

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      2. Acer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Totally agree. Ruiz is not the messiah and Fulham have been terrible lately.

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    2. Romford Pele - Don't w…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      He's Berb's Superman

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    3. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Everybody's in high spirits

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    4. Jax
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      eventually he'll start scoring goals again mate.

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    5. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      fixtures are good

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    6. Bad Pen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I only have him because I've not found opportunity to get rid and now he has nice fixtures I probably won't till Jan wc. I wouldn't be bringing him in if I didn't have him, that's for sure.

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    7. The Pep Revolution
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks guys. From the comments there are mixed opinions on this. I think I will wait until he starts showing some level of form again before investing.

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  5. tw
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    sagna and demel with blanks.

    rafa to nasty for a hit, y/n?

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    1. Egg Chaser
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Looking at Riise

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      1. tw
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        i'm not... would you do rafa to nasty for a hit or just keep rafa and hope he plays?

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        1. Egg Chaser
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          For a hit just keep rafa

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          1. tw
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            even if i might be a man down if rafa doesn't play?

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  6. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Michu or Berba as vice?

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    1. tw
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      michu

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    2. Egg Chaser
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Michu vc

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  7. The Finnisher
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Do we think Azpilicueta will play when Terry returns? Looks to me like Benitez doesn't like Ivan at RB too much.

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    1. Scroobius Mac
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      BUT HE'S THE BEST RIGHT BACK IN THE LEAGUE.

      I think Azpi will start 4/6 or something approaching that.

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      1. The Finnisher
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Reckon I will grab him on my Wildcard with 2 rotating first subs.

        Begovic
        Clichy Sagna Azpilicueta

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        1. The Finnisher
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Oh and lol. I remember when people were saying that after the DGW in week 1.

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          1. QPR expects... glory!
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            I think Rafa agrees with Alan Hansen that Ivan is the best CB Chelsea have got.

            Terry/Cahill can rotate with Luiz playing in midfield

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        2. Scroobius Mac
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          You could add Caulker in too. It's cheap and you will probably have 3/4 of them play each week.

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          1. The Finnisher
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            With Marc Wilson (when fit) at 4.0 as back-up 😯

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        3. Waldaz
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Sagna over Gibbs just for the price?

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          1. The Finnisher
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            Exactly.

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            1. tw
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 10 months ago

              funny because some are talking about double or treble stoke on the wc and the rest cheapies to have strong mf + at

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              1. The Finnisher
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 10 months ago

                Well that bunch would get me
                Michu Bale Fellaini Mata
                RVP Suarez Ba

                Could always double Stoke but those 3 offer good CS potential and aren't much more (or are even cheaper) than most Stoke defenders.

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      2. iakopu
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Don't shout

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  8. Scroobius Mac
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Sure this has done the rounds already but:
    Bryan Ruiz González ‏@bryanruizcr

    Finally again in the squad, very nice Christmas present for me....

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    1. The Finnisher
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      This is a point a lot of people are missing. Southampton have conceded 5 in 7 since Jack Cork returned from injury.

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    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I'm would have captained him but I have Rooney. He looks a no brainer.

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      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Got both but went with Berba, like the risk just for a bit of fun.

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  9. Animals & Scandals
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    A) Play Shorey
    B) Play Cuellar
    C) Shorey -> Nelsen

    Team ATM:
    Begovic
    Nastasic/Enrique/Shorey
    Michu(vc)/Bale/Yaya/Sterling
    RVP(c)/Berbatov/Suarez

    Subs: Jaaskelainen, Cuellar, Demel, Santi Cazorla

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  10. DDC
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    how long till deadline?

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    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      11.30 am as per usual

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    2. tw
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      an hr i believe

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  11. The Finnisher
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    RVP (c) for me. Fergie will want a big win.

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    1. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Correct...United must have 3 points today!

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    2. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Same for me even though berba and michu are tempting

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    3. Acer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I would agree that is logical, but Fergie is a law unto himself and RVP could easily be on the bench.

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  12. MDK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Keep Sess/Walcott and my FT or make a move?

    Begovic
    Shorey, Vert, Clyne
    Michu, Mata, Steling, Sess
    Berba, RVP, Suarez

    Jaask, Garrido, Demel, Walcott

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  13. Romford Pele - Don't w…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Predictions on what Fellaini’s price will be by the time he can play again? Not had him all season and plan to get him in asap hoping to benefit from others being slow to get him..

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    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      7.3 around there

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    2. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      7.2

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  14. John Nerdelbaum
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Happy Christmas

    Is everything looking shipshape with this mob? Subs in the right order?

    Bego (Bunn)

    Rafa Baines Davies

    Bale Silva Michu (vc) Punch

    Suarez RVP (c) Tev

    Bunn Sterling Shorey Cuellar

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  15. Mindless Freak
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Michu (C) decided, have to risk it because of my cup opposition. We've got too many similar players he'll probs captain Van Persie. it could go well, or be horiffic.

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    1. tw
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      what are your differentials? if you have better differentials from him then captain rvp

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  16. UCL Fantasy
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Benteke or Berbatov in for Le Fondre?

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    1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      benteke

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    2. tw
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      berba

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  17. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    SCOUTS, have gathered enough information about referee stats now? Here hoping there will be a time when you start writing "Men in black"-articles again 🙂

    Cheers!

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  18. Sarnab
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Weimann to Berba for a hit ???

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    1. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      no

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  19. Gigging Order
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Captaincy is so hard today, RVP, Michu and Berba all look good options

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    1. tw
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      and bale!

      and baines if you're feeling particularly risky (and still have him for some reason)

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    2. Sarnab
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Bale too

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  20. JWilson3
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I have already taken 4 point hit for Dempsey & Fellaini > Bale & Pienaar but I am struggling to field a defence so are any of these worth an extra 4 point hit to guarantee I field 3 defenders?
    A) Clyne > A.Hughes
    B) Ridgewell > Nastasic

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    1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      B, he has a goal in him.

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  21. DDC
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Bego McCarthey
    Nastasic, Cueller, HUghes, Garrido, McCartney
    Silva, Cazorla, Michu Sterling, Puncheon
    RVP, Suarez, Defoe
    + 1 ft and 0.8 banked
    Any opinions on a transfer?

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  22. Indalo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Morning all, hope everyone had a good Christmas 🙂 Someone please tell me that I am mad to captain the out of form Berbatov over RVP or Michu

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    1. bobwils
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      You are mad, there, feel better?

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  23. A.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Currently have Holt flagged (75%) and starting with Gorkss, Cuellar and Cazorla on the bench.

    I have 1.1 in the bank, or exactly enough to do Holt to Berbatov for free before the deadline.

    Good move?

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    1. Sarnab
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, do it

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    2. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, Holt is not a long term option

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    3. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

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  24. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Hows Rooney as captain option

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    1. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      after his performance against swans, i would not be confident with him as (C)

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    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Great option, imo. I don't think he'll be rested/ dropped. I think he has a big performance in him today after the poor show last game.

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      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Rooney does not think he will be rested or dropped there are articles all over the internet in which he is quoted saying he wants to bounce back against newcastle etc

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        1. Jax
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          it's not his decision.

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          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            I agree its not but its unlikely he would be saying these things in the press if he was about to be dropped and there is no evidence he will be dropped only Marks opinion

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    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Great record vs Newcastle + wants to bounce back after swansea

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      1. Jax
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        most likely benched.

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        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          how do you know provide a source or shut up

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    4. Jax
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      not good.

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  25. Mota
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    To play: Begovic (LIV) - Enrique (stk), Hughes (SOT), Cameron (LIV) - Robson-Kanu (SWA)
    Bench: Foster (qpr) - 1. Nelsen (WBA) 2. Sterling (stk) 3. Cuellar (MCI)
    Right?

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  26. Doctor X
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I’ve got a bit of a dilemma here.

    A) Keep Cazorla and ALSO get Walcott (Silva out) for the DGW [i.e: Cazorla + Walcott but no Bale]
    B) Sell Cazorla (for Bale) and get Walcott (Silva out) for the DGW [i.e: Walcott + Bale]

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    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      B, assuming Theo is atill a gunner by then

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    2. Absinthe Minded
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Sold for mata but getting him back in after this game

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  27. Gobigorgohome
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Tevez to Berba -4 and Berba(C). I am doing it now.

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  28. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Got a noobish question....
    when viewing an opp's team,
    the Gameweek Transfers shows the number of transfers in their previous gw, or the number of transfers they did for the coming gw???

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    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      coming GW

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      1. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        😯

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  29. Sarnab
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Brad Friedel has signed a new contract with Tottenham until 2014

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    1. Jax
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      seriously?

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    2. The Finnisher
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Fair play that he wants to stay and fight for his spot but he deserves to be playing first team football.

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    3. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      hopefully he plays today.... or else no gk for me this gw....

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  30. nazrijack
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    start Shorey or Clyne? Both will concede but who is likely to get attacking point?

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