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The Weekend Team News

17 December 2010 252 comments
Mark Mark
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Carlo Ancelotti throws Frank Lampard back into the fray for the visit of United, while Alex Ferguson will be without the experience of Paul Scholes as he misses the trip to the Bridge. Rafael van der Vaart is back in contention after looking “sharp” in training all week as Spurs prepare for their snow-threatened trip to the Seaside.

West Brom look set to be without Peter Odemwingie for the local derby clash with Wolves – Somen Tchoyi could start up front as a result. Wolves continue to be ravaged by injuries and right now the likes of Kevin Doyle and Matt Jarvis remain doubts, while Mick McCarthy’s back four looks makeshift at best. Wigan are hit by injuries and suspensions as they wait on the visit of Villa who themselves are reported to have concerns over the fitness of Ashley Young – a possible four-week absence is being reported today.

Roy Hodgson continues to ponder whether to throw Steven Gerrard in against Fulham, although hints that his skipper will make a return. His former club Fulham in opposition travel to Anfield without Mousa Dembele as they strive to improve a dismal run of goalscoring form.

All the very latest team news tittle-tattle is being rounded up and presented to you on our Team News page. Keep an eye on our Twitter feed for the fresh stuff as it breaks.

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

252 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    Can I really risk Balotelli or shall I get shot?

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    1. mahone24
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      If you have him I think he will be a risk every week so it depends how much your heart can take having him keep you on edge each week

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    2. PlayPercentage
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think he'll start. Especially after last week's performance.
      He'll probably come on for the last 5 minutes, as Carlos leaves to a standing ovation.

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  2. mahone24
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    Any advice on transfers would be great.
    Team as it stands
    Foster (Krul)
    Kyrg Jones Jara
    Bale Nani Dunn Silva Cleverley
    K Davies Gyan

    Subs Berb A Cole Rafael
    I have 5.8 in the bank and am looking to bring in Kolarov Vdv and Torres in in the next two weeks probably. Was planning on doing Berb to Torres this week and benching Cleverley as he might be injured anyways or should I bench Davies instead. Also I want to bring in Kolarov before his inevitable assist/goal but should I wait another week and do Vdv the week after when Spurs are back at the Lane? Realize this is rambling but hope someone can adivse. Last question? Captain? Thinking Dunn, Gyan or Torres if he's in???

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    1. stevev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Yep transfer Berb out, he's prob sub anyway, to Torres or Tevez and capt him...

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  3. Screaming Midget
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    I'm thinking Torres is a 'must have' for the next few games. Fortunately I have him.

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    1. tosey
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      i think liverpool r more likely to nick wins rather than batter teams so decided against torres

      not having him does worry me tho

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    2. Soop
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      He gets injured next Tuesday though, he slips while getting the milk in and injures his back.

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    3. Just One More Thing
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      I'd agree about Torres - somewhere along the line his poor scoring has to come to an end and surely fixtures against FUL blp WOL BOL cannot be ignored. Gerrard's return will be absolute key too.

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  4. NOVICE
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    any thoughts on Drogba & Maluda out Fabregas & RVP in???

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    1. tosey
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      rvp wont start all the games over xmas

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers for the info, Arsene.

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        1. tosey
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          no probs

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    2. Screaming Midget
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Both can only improve with Lampard back in, you'd expect. Malouda the best to remove due to him being rotated, or taken off early.

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    3. mahone24
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Now that Franks back I think Chelsea may brighten and their run of bad fixtures is very nearly over and Arsenal dont have easy ones beyond Stoke who have cause Arsenal trouble anyways from memory

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      1. Grimmaldi - Send in the Clo…
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        I hope so, looking forward to there being a few more players in big teams who perform week in week out. Seems to be a bit of a lack of them at the moment.

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    4. Just One More Thing
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      One or the other - two injury prone players is too much of a gamble and RVP continues to get nursed back into games by Wenger.

      I think I'm going to stick with Nasri over Fabs in any case.

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      1. NOVICE
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks all

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  5. drinkup245
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    who do i bench?

    cole (H vs man utd)
    kolarov(H vs Everton)
    bardsley(H vs bolton)?

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    1. PFOR
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Cashley

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    2. $hahriyar
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      bardsley

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      1. drinkup245
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        ha!...my first choice was kolarov

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      2. Screaming Midget
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        +1. The other 2 are 'fixture proof'. Vidic can always pop up with a goal.

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    3. jatlan
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      cole

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    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Bardsley

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  6. PlayPercentage
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    If Carlos plays on Monday, what will be the reaction of the Eastlands crowd?
    Surely, they won't cheer him to the rafters will they?

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    1. Spider
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      They will when he scores 2.

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  7. viciousrumour
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    hey everyone,
    need some feedback on my current starting 11

    gordon
    hangeland vidic kolarov
    nani etherington nzogbia mgp
    torres(c) rooney carroll

    jussi jarvis simpson foley

    your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

    thinking i might save my free transfer so i have two for the xmas period.

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  8. jatlan
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all,

    Just wondering what people think of my team for this gameweek. Got one transfer to make and not sure whether it’s worth just getting rid of Elmo now even though Sunderland might be in need of him soon due to injuries…

    Cech

    Johnson R, Jones, Kolarov

    MGP, Nani, Bale(c), Petrov (bolton), Nolan

    Davies K, Torres

    Bench: Foster, Elmo, Rooney, Jags

    What do people think?? Am stuck this week so am tempted to do nothing...

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  9. Luke
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    Krul-Robinson
    Kolarov-Sagna-Cashley-Coleman-Konchesky
    Nani-Albrighton-Cahill-Henderson-Lee
    Rooney-Torres-Carroll

    That’s my team, with 2.2 in the bank and 2 free transfers

    Thinking of taking out Henderson & Lee and putting in VDV & Barton, good moves?

    Or should I transfer out Sagna? (options)

    Cheers 🙂

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  10. Just One More Thing
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    As the snow in Wales has wreaked havoc with my Christmas pi**-up, I can only contemplate my team this week rather than looking at it tomorrow with a hangover 🙁

    Foster (Krul)
    Konchesky/Vidic/Samba (Foley; Coleman)
    MGP/N'Zogbia/Nasri/Nani (Cahill)
    Drogba/Torres(c)/Carroll

    This will be my team if I do Elmander > Torres & Dann > Samba (no hit). Not comfortable with benching Cahill but will have to ride it out.

    VdV will probably come back in for Cahill in gw 20. Thoughts gentlemen?

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    1. GREENDREAMS11
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      The snow has been nuts down here today

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    2. Cook Long, Brown Baker Bunn
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Looks great,
      I might suggest you consider getting Onuhua if you can, someone was talking about Konchesky struggling for a spot in the weeks to come, so that's worth considering.

      I've also got my eye on Evatt from BPL, they have a lot of home matches coming up and I think he'd be a real surprise package for that period!

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  11. IAmTheWalrus
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    just regarding mahones comment above

    i got it in my head that arsenal do well against stoke, but they dont do they, they really stuggle against them~?

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  12. Cook Long, Brown Baker Bunn
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    Is Fabs a sure start this GW?

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  13. NOVICE
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    I seldom reveal the link to my team as it can cause me some problems but while I have it on could one or two take a look and offer some advise on kick starting my season this christmas. As you can see I'm devalued since september, I've two trans to make this week and still have 1st WC to consider. any views welcome

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    1. IAmTheWalrus
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Bob that is a poor valuation!

      doesnt leave you much room to mess around,

      not sure what to do to be honest, if you downgraded drogba to carroll and balotelli up to tevez?

      might be a start, but long term you need to lose both elmo and henderson in my mind

      elmo could start this weekend tho, so throw him in your first 11

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    2. Grimmaldi - Send in the Clo…
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      First things first, unlucky on your bench for last week. Painful stuff.

      I'd say replace Cahill with a Man City defender and Malouda to Nani this week. This obviously depends on what your predictions of the Chelsea - Man U game will be, but I think Chelsea are too weak to stop United scoring at the moment.

      Henderson needs to go; goals don't come from Sunderlands midfield at the moment. N'Zogbia/MGP/Brunt all are good cheap options which would do well.

      Personally I'd see about getting rid of both Drogba and Balotelli, depending on if/how Tevez plays this weekend it wouldn't be a bad idea for a cheapie along with Tevez as replacement. Bent also seems like a good choice.

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  14. 5678
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Would the B'pool/Tot game have been announced as off yet, if it was going to be?

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      1. Gunner win the premiership …
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        It will most likely be off louise due to bpool not aving the facilities to overcome snow and frosty pitch

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      2. tosey
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        no

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        1. Gunner win the premiership …
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          y no tosey? u think it wil be on?

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          1. Tanglebrain
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 2 months ago

            I'm in Blackpool. No snow. It's cold but not REALLY cold. They've got extra covers & heater this time cos it would be embarrassing for another televised match to be called off. I think it will go ahead.

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            1. IAmTheWalrus
              • 16 Years
              15 years, 2 months ago

              same here, but i am nowhere near bpool..so i guess my opinion doesnt reallllly add anything

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              1. 5678
                  15 years, 2 months ago

                  Thanks for the replies

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      3. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Right the plan is Torres for Christmas. I want to log onto this site the day after boxing day and see some witty headline from mark, something simialr to the famous blackburn's santa one a couple of years ago!

        Anyhow can i have your thoughts on my team:-

        Robinson, Carson
        A. Cole, Konchesky, Evra, Kolarov, Dann
        VDV, Nani, N’Zogbia, Yaya, Nasri
        Torres, Carroll, Tevez

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      4. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Drogba out.
        Tevez or RVP in?

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        1. Grimmaldi - Send in the Clo…
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          Tevez is the safer option in a way. I can't really see RvP getting through the Christmas period without being rested either.

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      5. Copacabanarama
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Can someone tell me why Coleman's price didn't go down last night he was on about 107% when I checked fiso last night (and he hasn't had a drop this week yet either)

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        1. Pasqualinho
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          The targets for drops on FISO are incorrect - the algorithm that determines this isn't working. He should drop when his Net transfers out hit approx 15,000 - not the 1,518 that FISO shows. He should be about 10% of the way towards a drop, so very unlikely he'll go down this week.

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      6. howler
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        My team is currently:

        Robinson (Foster)
        Samba, Vidic, Toure, Coleman (Alcaraz)
        Nani, Cahill, Bale, Nasri (c) (Jarvis)
        Tevez, Carroll (Elmander)

        Should I do:

        a) Alcaraz > Johnson (Liv)
        b) Elmander > Bent
        c) None
        d) Other?

        Would like some Liverpool, but not sure who has more points potential this GW. Thanks!

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      7. cucumber
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Any games likely to be off this weekend? really snowing now in Ireland

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        1. Pasqualinho
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          The only game where there's any weather-related news is Blackpool - and they're confident the game on Sunday will go ahead. I think we'll get a full programme.

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      8. Steveo444
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Any ideas on my team lads? I have 0.2 in the bank and one free transfer. Any room for improvement?

        1: Foster
        2: Toure
        3: Evra
        4: Cole A
        5: Cahill
        6: Nani
        7: Van der Vaart
        8: Yaya Toure
        9: Carroll
        10: Tevez(C)
        11: Defoe

        12: Howard
        13: Bosingwa
        14: Etherington
        15: Dann

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      9. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Anything on the Tevez chat yet?

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        1. Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/12/17/2265044/manchester-city-boss-roberto-mancini-confirms-carlos-tevez?

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          1. Gaz Downright
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            15 years, 2 months ago

            cheers

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        2. Armchair Manager
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          Not yet, its a cert that he will start.

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      10. Armchair Manager
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Gyan,or baines to start? leaning towards baines

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      11. ClaireT
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        How does my team look for this week, now that I've done my transfers?

        Foster
        Konchesky, Samba, Bardsley, Kolarov
        Malouda, Nasri, Nani, Bale
        Tevez (c), Carroll

        Subs: Krul, Elmander, Cahill, Vidic

        Would you say subs are in the right order?

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      12. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        gents, ive a sneaky little trixie for yee tonight

        biarritz, racing metro both 11-20, connacht, 1-10.

        5er trixie (20 quid) pays 420 ,

        1 euro trixie- 4 quid-pays 84

        10er trixie (40) pays 840!! 🙂

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        1. IAmTheWalrus
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          and your doing...all three 🙂
          ?
          ill throw a euro on that , cheers rbj

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          1. IAmTheWalrus
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 2 months ago

            this isnt paddy power is it?
            PP are giving 1/200 for biarritz....ouch

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            1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
              • 16 Years
              15 years, 2 months ago

              pp yeah. its slightly better at ladbrokes. the biggest odd is the biarristx game- aironi wont lie down, plus, the most important factor is the weather

              Click here to Download this Fixture list connacht 1-10 2/1 pp
              Date Local Time Stg Home Away H/cap Weather bet
              Friday 19:00 P4 Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque Aironi Rugby h-28 rain dying off 11-20 4/1 ladbrokes
              Friday 21:00 P2 Racing Métro 92 Saracens h-11 light snow,-3 11-20 racing 5/2

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              1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
                • 16 Years
                15 years, 2 months ago

                as in, that weather will mean a monumental hammering is not as likely. so the 11-20 seems value to me

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            2. IAmTheWalrus
              • 16 Years
              15 years, 2 months ago

              that is some difference in odds!!

              1 euro trixie pays 9 euro on PP

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              1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
                • 16 Years
                15 years, 2 months ago

                no thats wrong man, winning margins, 1-10

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              2. IAmTheWalrus
                • 16 Years
                15 years, 2 months ago

                ah i understand now, ignore that stupid comment from me above!

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                1. IAmTheWalrus
                  • 16 Years
                  15 years, 2 months ago

                  lovely, done, cheers for the tip RBJ

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                  1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
                    • 16 Years
                    15 years, 2 months ago

                    dont get ur hopes up too much, but its good value. chances are these dont win, and we're opposing the bookies thoughts on what will happen here, but a combo of the weather being miserable in connacht, and the fact that theyve been working hard to get the game on, even though theyre out, means 15/8 is value- quins have good team out, but resting some and bringing in some class elsewhere. Connacht are always tough to beat at home.

                    sarries will likely be proud and put up a fight, but racing should do them enough to get over 11. and hopefully aironi front up and biarritz are too cold and slippy to completely go to town on them 🙂

                    here's hoping anyway!

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                    1. IAmTheWalrus
                      • 16 Years
                      15 years, 2 months ago

                      ah ive already spent my winnings RBJ

                      WHY didnt you say this earlier

                      ha ha, nah thats no bother, just hoping to piggy back off your luck last night 😀

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                      1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
                        • 16 Years
                        15 years, 2 months ago

                        goodkarma for me this weekend so hopefully we'll be good!

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      13. hce93
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Hi all,
        is VDV or silva a better option to bring in.
        And also is it worth bringing in tevez in for balotelli or torres (who do you recommend) for a 4 point hit.
        Anyother suggestions?

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      14. Voronin
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Any games potentially off this weekend?

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          Yes.

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        2. Armchair Manager
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          Update on SSN about the spurs game in ten mins or so. up in the air at the minute

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          1. Voronin
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 2 months ago

            Ta. Last minute transfers it is.....!

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      15. Splhodge
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        I assume that having two free transfers this week, if i only use one up then the other will roll over for next week so i have two free transfers next week?

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          Aye that's right.

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      16. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        SSN about to report on liklihood of Blackpool game going ahead.

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      17. Soop
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Crikey. I've just decided to bench Cahill for Bale, and it leaves me really one-sided; Man City defender and striker and no Everton coverage.

        Is that being a tad overzealous? If Everton score, it's likely to be Cahill, a header, and a Baines assist.

        What is Hart like at clearing out crosses and attacks like that? And what are their defenders like in the air?

        and (last one) Is Baines currently on any set piece duties?

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        1. Soop
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          Ok, Arteta's out, so he's on a lot of set pieces. Now I don't want to bench him. Jesus, I hope weather takes some of these decisions out of my hands.

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      18. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        anyone seen the bird on countdown today ...must go tug needed

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        1. Soop
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          That's just because she's the best looking woman on TV at that time. Compared to the Loose women, she's a goddess.

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          1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 2 months ago

            loose women- the reason ill probably never get married. once they hit 40, ......brrrrr, freezin cold...run around....Keep WARM! 🙂

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        2. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          The bird that took over from Vorderman? Or is there a fit contestant on?

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        3. Screaming Midget
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          They had a cracking conundrum on recently...

          LARGEBAPS

          Someone buzzed in and guessed GRASPABLE

          Quality.

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