Preamble

The Pre-match Preamble – Gameweek 19

With the majority of the press shelving their predicted lineups for today’s matches, our hunt for reassurance and validation amongst the papers is a futile one. Nonetheless, there are some nuggets of news, notably as a result of the words spilling from a cast of Premier League players, which could have some bearing on today’s teamsheets.

The Times were the first to break quotes from Wayne Rooney last night, as the United striker lamented (does Rooney lament?) his woeful output in the 1-1 draw at Swansea on Sunday. Nothing came off for the striker on the day and it was no surprise to see him withdrawn to jeers from the Liberty faithful with 12 minutes remaining.

Rooney has acknowledged his abject performance, whilst suggesting that he’s keen to get back on the pitch against Newcastle today to re-assert himself….

“I could feel it [was not going to be my day] on the pitch…Some days you have an off day I could feel that and I couldn’t complain at being substituted….I think the thing about football, and especially over the Christmas period, is that you have games and this game has gone for me and it is certainly not one I will remember, but I will relish the next one.”

The quotes and the story has been published by a number of new sources this morning, all hinting that Newcastle need to prepare themselves for Rooney’s backlash. An interesting assumption given that us Fantasy managers are braced for rotation up front in the United lineup. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side face West Brom at Old Trafford on Saturday, before travelling to Wigan on Tuesday; that’s followed by an FA Cup tie at West Ham on January 5. Presumably we’ll see Ferguson rotating for that Cup encounter, with his strongest side fielded at Wigan, having tasted defeat at the DW Stadium last term.

That will see rotation, either today against the Magpies or, more likely perhaps, against West Brom in three days time. We’re presuming that Rooney and Robin Van Persie will be benched for one of these two matches and it will be interesting to see if Ferguson opts for Rooney today, in order to give him the opportunity to rid himself of the demons from his showing in Wales. A first choice strike pairing may well be on show later today, then, with Danny Welbeck perhaps handed a wide role and then called in to action up front, along with Javier Hernandez, against West Brom on Saturday.

David Luiz’s new position in central midfield for Chelsea has generated some attention, not least because he also stroked home a superbly executed free-kick in the 8-0 demolition of Villa on Sunday. Today’s trip to Norwich will surely see Rafa Benitez rotate his resources once more, however, and Mikel’s availability after serving a three-match ban, certainly threaten’s Luiz’s chances of earning another start in midfield.

As Mikel points out, he will depart for the African Cup of Nations after Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge clash with QPR on January 2, giving him just a few matches to play out whilst he remains with the squad.

“After the Norwich match there are only two more games and I’ll be away again, as I think we have to meet up on January 4, and the manager said he wants to rotate the team and bring in fresh legs…I’ve been playing since he started, so it’s probably been good to have a week or two off to recover a little and get the legs going again, but it will be good to come back for the Norwich game.”

We could well see Mikel start at Norwich then and with Ramires and Frank Lampard impressing against Villa, it’s feasible that Luiz will find himself either benched, or shifted back to a centre-back role with Branislav Ivanovic back at full-back.

Jan Vertonghen’s position in the Spurs lineup is another contentious issue that has drawn headlines in this morning’s press. The Belgian has stated that, while he has enjoyed his tenancy at left-back, allowing him to lend his abilities to the Tottenham attack, he is pushing Andre Villas-Boas to restore him to a centre-back role…

“Yes (I’m frustrated), and the manager knows. But we needed some height in the team (against Stoke City) for the set plays and he knows I prefer centre-back, but that is enough for me. He respects me but tells me whenever I need to play left-back. I want to help the team….I love to attack and I love to go up front…It is a little more difficult than when you are playing centre-back. If you play the way that I want to play, I think my influence is better as a left-back. For the team, it is best that I play as a centre-back. I like to bring the ball out. You need to move the game quickly, and that is one of my qualities as well.”

Spurs travel to face Villa today, with Vertonghen’s compatriot, Christian Benteke, undoubtedly providing the main threat to their chances of three points. Vertonghen is quick to point out that he knows Benteke’s game only too well…

“Benteke is very good in the air and he can score. He will be a very tough player to play against…I know him quite well from Belgium, in the league and playing for the national team. It doesn’t surprise me that he has done well at Villa.”

A thinly veiled plee to Villas-Boas to let him play centre-back against Benteke, perhaps? That move would likely see Kyle Naughton drafted in at left-back with one of Michael Dawson, William Gallas or Steven Caulker given the slot alongside the Belgian in the centre. With Caulker and Dawson starting against Stoke, it would seem likely that we’ll see Gallas restored at Villa Park today.

Of course, this is all speculative stuff. There’s clearly logic we can apply to the evidence dug up by such reports and quotes but, as we saw with Roberto Mancini’s team-sheet against Reading, such logic can sometimes be worthless.

Edin Dzeko did not start against Brian McDermott’s side, City struggled to defend set-plays and Dzeko ended up coming on after the hour-mark. Presumably, we’ll see the Bosnian start at Sunderland today, only to be benched again at Norwich, even though Chris Hughton’s side and Sebastian Bassong in particular, have been a real threat from set-pieces of late. Go figure.

Of course, it’s not for me to tell Mancini how to pick his team but, like most of us, I’m quite happy to have a go and vent my anger when the logic falls short. Us Fantasy managers are always on the look out for a scrap of evidence to back our theories or justify our selections. It’s just so hugely frustrating when the decision makers that matter refuse to play along.

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

2,979 Comments Post a Comment
  1. GlasgowFF
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I have captained RVP and opponent Michu.

    Rest of team pretty similarr so will come down to captains.

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

      same here

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    2. faulksp
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Same here....we both own the pair of them !!!

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

    No Nelsen... No Rooney No FUN 🙁 Am screwed

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

      Nelsen? If he's that key to your team it can't be too good

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

    Having Long is killing me, I bet he comes on for the final 20 mins or so.

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      He will come on as him and Lukaku link up really well and will threaten a lot. But WBA cant afford two strikers on the pitch for the majority of the game.

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

        Yeah, a shame as they play well together like you say. It's my own fault really - should never have invested in such a rotation risk.

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  4. Sweatygoals
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    RvP 5 goals tonight, 3 bonuses, GG!

    'Dream big'- thats what they say!

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

      rvp high score but michu outscoring him 😉

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  5. Dealbert
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Most overrated player in PL?

    I'll start: Vidic. You all think he's good, but he's actually crap. Kaka used him as a cone at his prime. Period.

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    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Hibbo. No matter how bad you think he is he is worse.

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

      over rated is an inaccurate word when talking about this kinda stuff; it depends whether a player is overrated by fans, manager, media. overly hyped is probably a better term

      and I disagree completely with Vidic being 'actually crap' 😛

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

        Hehe, please refer to the below. Point being he's over-rated.

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    3. Alton E.
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Podolski

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    4. heartsattack
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Christ!

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      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        I rate him quite highly..

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

          You saw Michu running both around and past him Sunday or did you choose to close your eyes?

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

        He is not in the PL but I agree, he's definitely over-rated!

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

      I wouldn't say he's crap but he's certainly overrated.

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

        Ok, I agree. My terminology was forfeited in the struggle to make a point.

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

    Reading bench?

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  7. Sting
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I hate that RVP takes the skill out of so many parts of fantasy football.

    Anyone achieved a high rank this season without him ?

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  8. Tommytour
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone fancy a RVP > Rooney C transfer for next week?

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

      Nah, 0.5 lost not worth it for me.

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  9. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    should I be upset I only have 2 defenders? Rather have 2 def than 1 less midfielder or 1 less striker right?

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

    Bye Bye FPL Cup , See you next year.. 🙁

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  11. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I just have to say, that in the 3pm games, all my players start. WOOP!

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

      All of mine with the exception of Shorey ....no big deal as not on bench so no cameo, brings on bassong and my rival has him anyway.

      Chuffed that Tevez Mata and RVP (c) all start.

      Cup opponent is Hazard Warning ......sleeping captain who not surprisingly scored 80 last week .....his (c) ain't looking so good this week !!

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

    Well that ended up being all a bit confusing 😯

    So is Gorkss starting or not?

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

      Not.

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

      Don't be silly 😀

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  13. Manani
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I got hughes, demel and shorey!
    and
    Rooney 🙁

    9 man playing, any worse?

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  14. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    NASTASIC IS IN THE STARTING XI.

    http://i.imgur.com/3elmt.png

    http://i.imgur.com/MQ4YN.png

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

      phew, i can now field a defence this GW

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  15. Sweatygoals
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Gary Lineker ‏@GaryLineker

    WBA team bus is stuck in traffic trying to get to Loftus Road. They should have got the tube...

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      So Delayed or postponed?

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

        Cancelled for crowd safety reasons.

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          This is London not Glasgow

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

            BOOM!

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      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        3-15 start

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        1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Could be 3-15 final score too

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      3. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Delayed

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    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Actually quite funny for him

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  16. Owd Big 'Ed
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Flu? You having a f***ing laugh Nelsen?

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    1. Little Dancer
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Man-flu.

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  17. Timon
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    newcastle win on the cards. 👿
    shocking squad again.

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

      erm, no chance.

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

      it's not that bad really

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  18. Shane Ferguson 4.0
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Can I cut 28 pts lead from my ML leader???
    Difference
    He – Puncheon, Ba, Torres (c)
    Me – Mata, Bale, Silva, RvP, Berbatov, Suarez

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

      you can cut it, don't know if you will overtake

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      1. Shane Ferguson 4.0
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        But I have nice chance, have I?

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  19. Blue-Ghosts
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Waist of a transfer bringing in nastasic

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    1. Mulder
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      He's starting.

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      1. Blue-Ghosts
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        hes not

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

          he is starting

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

      Never trust Mancini with his mind games

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

        "Some fries ##@*$U@#@$@#$@(!!!"

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    3. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      He is mate

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

    Ridgewell rested?

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

      Bench.

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

      Dont think the WBA lineup will come before they actually arrive at Loftus Road

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

        Scrap that! 😉

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

        Long not starting already confirmed i saw 🙁

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      3. COMH
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Popov; Mulumbu, Morrison; Fortune, Gera, Brunt; Lukaku

        Subs; Myhill; Ridgewell, Rosenberg, Long, Dorrans, Odemwingie, Tamas.

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

      on the bench

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  21. Conrad.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    sit Haz and start Puncheon and Agger, right?

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  22. EoinM
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    No hughes fs

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

    Berb brace and Ba goal please.

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Will happen, will happen. It is about time

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    2. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      +1 to the berb brace

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

      +1 on Ba.

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  24. Red-United
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    C'mon BoxingDayBerba! 😀

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  25. tangtastic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    FINALLY got away from the family.. Happy Xmas FFS'ers!

    All I have to add is.. COME ON ROONEY!!! (c)

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

      umm.......

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

      😯 you havent heard then ?

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Umm...

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    4. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Anyone want to tell him?

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    5. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      😀

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    6. heartsattack
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Just in case...who's your VC?

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    7. faulksp
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Return to you're family ...nothing to see here

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  26. सनकी
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    OMGG Ruiz not playing 🙁

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Being on the bench is good enough for me. 30min appearance and start next. He must be eased IMO

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    2. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, shocker...injured player does not immediately start game

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        After 2 months or so 😛

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    3. hnmfm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      lol at berba captains

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  27. boc610
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    nasty starts

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      you sure?

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      1. boc610
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        "it appears Maicon is no longer in the Manchester City starting line-up at Sunderland. It looks like a late change sees Matija Nastasic start at centre-half, with Kolo Toure slotting in at right-back. Late drama everywhere - and we've not even kicked-off yet" BBC

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    2. Blue-Ghosts
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      he isnt starting, the man city twitter made an error! every other account has maicon

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  28. Maxi_Mawoofingtons
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Ok we get it Nasty is not playing 🙂 Let's all get over it

    And does it really matter? Sess is gonna score today 😛

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  29. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Repost:
    Line-Ups With subs
    ————————————————————————————————————-

    Everton: Howard, Baines, Gibson, Jagielka, Jelavic, Distin, Hitzlsperger, Neville, Osman, Pienaar, Anichebe
    Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo, Naismith, Gueye, Barkley, Vellios.

    Wigan: Al Habsi, Kone, McCarthy, Caldwell, Jones, Maloney, McArthur, Boyce, Beausejour, Stam, Figueroa
    Subs: Pollitt, Ramis, Golobart, Gomez, McManaman, Di Santo, Boselli

    ————————————————————————————————————-

    Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise, Dejagah, Sidwell, Baird, Kacaniklic, Berbatov, Rodallega.
    Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Karagounis, Briggs, Hughes, Ruiz, Frei.

    Soton: K. Davis, Clyne, Fonte (c), Yoshida, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Cork, S. Davis, Puncheon, Ramírez, Lambert
    Subs: Boruc, Hooiveld, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Richardson, Mayuka.

    ————————————————————————————————————-

    Man United: De Gea, Smalling, Evra, Evans, Ferdinand, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Scholes, Hernandez, van Persie.
    Subs: Lindegaard, Vidic, Cleverley, Fletcher, Buttner, Wootton, Tunnicliffe.

    Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini (c), Santon; Anita, Perch, Bigirimana; Cisse, Ba, Marveaux.
    Subs: Elliot, Tavernier, Ferguson, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Campbell, Shola Ameobi

    ————————————————————————————————————-

    Norwich: Bunn; R. Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido; Pilkington, Johnson, Tettey, Snodgrass, Hoolahan; Holt (c)
    Subs: Rudd, Howson, Jackson, Morison, E. Bennett, Barnett, R. Bennett

    Chelsea: Cech (c), Ivanovic, Cole, Luiz, Torres, Mata, Oscar, Mikel, Moses, Cahill, Azpilicueta
    Subs: Turnbull, Lampard, Hazard, Ferreira, Marin, Paizon, Ake

    ————————————————————————————————————-

    QPR: Green, Traore, Ferdinand, Hill, Cisse, Taarabt, SWP, Mackie, Fabio, Faurlin, Mbia
    Subs: Diakite, Derry, Granero, Hoilett, Ehmer, Dyer, Cesar

    WBA: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Popov; Mulumbu, Morrison; Fortune, Gera, Brunt; Lukaku
    Subs: Myhill, Ridgewell, Rosenberg, Long, Dorrans, Odemwingie, Tamas

    ————————————————————————————————————-

    Reading: Federici, Gunter, Pearce, Mariappa, Harte, McAnuff, Kebe, Guthrie, Leigertwood, Karacan, Pogrebnyak
    Subs: Taylor, Cummings, Morrison, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, Le Fondre, Hunt

    Swansea: Vorm, Tiendalli, Davies, Flores, Williams (c); Britton, Ki, Michu; Dyer, Routledge, Moore
    Subs: Tremmel, Bartley, Monk, Agustien, De Guzman, Schechter, Graham

    ————————————————————————————————————-

    Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Rose, Kilgallon, Cuellar (c), Larsson, Colback, Johnson, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher.
    Subs: Bardsley, Campbell, Wickham, McFadden, Vaughan, Bramble, Westwood.

    Citeh: Hart, Nastasic, Kompany (c), Kolo Toure, Zabaleta, Garcia, Milner, Yaya Toure, Silva, Aguero, Tevez.
    Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Rekik, Barry, Razak, Sinclair, Dzeko.

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      U need to post again its bottom of page.About 5th time 😀

      My list is better

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

      eh maicon's playing, not nastastic.

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    3. Henry Hill
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Lukaku vs Ferdinand is going to be a terrible mismatch. Long was probably starting until Clarke saw Anton was starting!

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    4. Timon
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      thanks perm

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  30. COMH
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    RVP to be rested for the WBA game and Rooney to start?

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

      It would be logical

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

      yeah.

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