Monday Dugout Discussion

Put up your feet, pour yourself another glass of mulled wine and grab that tin of Quality Street. After all it is christmas, and after all we’ve got another match to take in as we round out gameweek nineteen just as soon as it starts.

The Dugout Discussion closes it’s door for no-one and a festive game between Arsenal and Chelsea are no exception. Just nineteen weeks down and Arsene Wenger finally gets to start his two key players – Cesc Fabregas & Robin Van Persie – together for the first time this season, while the likes of Walcott finally get a start after weeks waiting patiently on the bench. Managerial heavyweight Carlo Ancelotti meanwhile gets to start Frank Lampard for the first time since August also. Team sheets in full are…

Arsenal: Fabianski; Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy; Song, Fabregas, Wilshere; Walcott, van Persie, Nasri
Chelsea: Cech; Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard; Kalou, Drogba, Malouda

Come join the festive banter as we all gorge on treats ahoy together and close out the gameweek in the Dugout Discussion.

2,892 Comments Post a Comment

rosti with sausage
13 years, 5 months ago
hi all, what will u do?

1. robinson -> reina
2. baines -> bardsley, elmander -> torres (4pts hit, need cash fr 1st trade)
3. pretend i forgot about the deadline

team is as such:

robinson (krul)
konchesky, kolarov, baines (jara, foley)
nasri, VDV, MGP, nani (fabs)
tevez, carrol (elmander)

3.4 in bank
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1. rosti with sausage
  13 years, 5 months ago
  just realised ive got too many subs, will play jara reluctantly if i choose 3
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  1. TorresMagic™
    13 years, 5 months ago
    I would play Fabs with Elmander 1st sub. No idea what I would do in your situation. 🙁
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zøphar
13 years, 5 months ago
Play jara or bring in kolarov for Gary cahill for a 4 pt hit, I want gcahill out asap,

I have mgp though so I am thinking maybe having jara is insurance since he should keep a clean if mgp does nothing
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Linca - TerribleFromKepa
13 years, 5 months ago
Jinswick.. get Fabs in next week

Team is..

Foster (Jussi)
Kolarov, Kyrgiacos, Givet (Foley,Carr)
Nani, Nasri, MGP, Bale (Barton)
Drogba, Tevez, Carroll
3.5 remaining
Obviously looking at Bale > VDV. Also thinking about getting rid of Givet or Carr. Looking at Bardsley with good fixtures and regular game time.. any other ideas??
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1. Linca - TerribleFromKepa
  13 years, 5 months ago
  ???????
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BoobyZ
13 years, 5 months ago
1. Elmander->Tevez
2. Nasri->Fabs (Knee-jerk?)
3. All of the above (-4)

?
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1. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Fabs = 0 points for GW20
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  1. BoobyZ
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Yep just realized he is suspended. Makes life easier
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2. Perthite
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Fabs has a 5 yellow card inspired rest this GW.
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BoobyZ
13 years, 5 months ago
Anyone got NZogs stats against Arsenal?
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1. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Stats are overrated. Chelsea rarely lose against Arsenal until last night. N'Zogbia scored a goal vs Arsenal in the same fixture when they won 3-2.
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FantasyFreak
13 years, 5 months ago
Repost:
Having 2 free transfers.

Hart
Kolarov,Samba,Baines
Nzogbia,VDV,Nasri,Nani
Drogba,Carroll,Elmander

Subs: Foster A.Cole Albrighton Foley

1-Should I play A.cole?
2-Drogba to Tevez, yay or nay?
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1. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  1) Yes, drop Samba.
  2) Up to you.
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The Gravless Sheik of Dream…
13 years, 5 months ago
When will we know our next opponent for fantasy cup ?
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1. Boom!!!
  13 years, 5 months ago
  f*** off!
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2. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  At 12pm at the latest.
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3. I Hart Van Der Vaart
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Implied: I'm so brilliant at Fantasy Football!
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  1. TorresMagic™
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Half the good players got knocked out in these 2 rounds. The Fantasy Cup is a random luck Cup.
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    1. Boom!!!
      13 years, 5 months ago
      good players like me!
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      1. TorresMagic™
        13 years, 5 months ago
        26 & 44 in the last 2 rounds would say you overrate yourself.
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        Boom!!!
        13 years, 5 months ago
        the think i don't like about the cup is in 1st round i got a very good opponent n got through mainly coz of cahill...but it hurts when u lose to a sh1t team with only 4-5 players playing n no transfers all season compared to my fcuking 11 in the 2nd round!
        
        n yes i do overrate myself just like punter is atm...
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        TorresMagic™
        13 years, 5 months ago
        You wouldn't have won too many ties this week with 44 is what I was trying to say. We will all probably get knocked out at some stage. All you needed to do was cover his players & you didn't do that anyway.
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    2. I Hart Van Der Vaart
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Yup, I was lucky enough to escape the Cahill autocaptining in the first round but alas, I fell to auto captains this week.
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      1. The Gravless Sheik of Dream…
        13 years, 5 months ago
        I am just wanting to see who my next opp is before taking hits. No other meaning at all
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        TorresMagic™
        13 years, 5 months ago
        Do you think the team with hits will score better than the team without hits? You need the best possible score either way. Knowing his team equals covering his good players but not doing what you wanted to do.
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        The Gravless Sheik of Dream…
        13 years, 5 months ago
        If i am up against a good team i wont take any hits actually especially when the opp have more or less e same players as your team.
        
        Was thinking whether shd sell cahill and elmander for bardsley and bent
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        riot
        13 years, 5 months ago
        Yep a Fabregas 14 seemed to have let me make a 10 point deficit comeback to win 46-44, but then my 4 point hit to buy Hart came in...
        
        If I hadn't done that it would have gone to goals scored and i would have won :/
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4. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Requiemof dream, seeing you won last week with a score of 8, you should be happy to still be in the Cup. Nice scoring this week with Fabregas & no VDV.
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Cunning Lingerers
13 years, 5 months ago
Who is everyone captaining this week?
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1. Boom!!!
  13 years, 5 months ago
  tevez,vdv,torres...n i don't have any of them!
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2. GuyIncognito
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Torres
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  1. gruffyboy
    13 years, 5 months ago
    me too
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    1. gruffyboy
      13 years, 5 months ago
      I'm a blind-faither though so don't listen to me...
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      1. GuyIncognito
        13 years, 5 months ago
        I've had him for the last two weeks and have been itching to unleash him.
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Perthite
13 years, 5 months ago
Do we know if Nani is any chance? Last I heard he should be fit.

Foster (Krul)
Vidic Kolarov Kyrgiakos (Salcido Simspon)
Nani Nasri VdV N'Zogbia (Fabs)
Tevez(c) Carroll Elmander
0 Trades 0.2m

Possible 4 point hits...
A: Fabs->Gerrard (and switch back leading into GW24
(or would it be worth doing next GW?)
B: Salcido->Bardsley (although probably will avoid)
C: Elmander->???
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1. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Check that tweet thing for Nani.
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  1. Perthite
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Yeah - that (Nani & Fletcher would return) was the last I heard from Ferguson. I suppose it will be a matter of fingers crossed this GW with rotations, etc.
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gruffyboy
13 years, 5 months ago
In a real quandry as to what transfers to do today. My team is...

Robinson, Schwarzer
Vidic, Coleman, Konch, Foley, Williamson
Nasri, Nani, MGP, Lee, Bale
Torres, Tevez, Odem

Current plan:
Odem -> Berbs
MGP -> Barton

Any ideas / thoughts / mocking insults welcome...
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1. Boom!!!
  13 years, 5 months ago
  odem at home berba away..if u really want berba brinmg him next week b'gham are very food defensively!
  imo u should do:
  lee out barton/ethers in
  bale out vdv in
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  1. gruffyboy
    13 years, 5 months ago
    cheers
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Fabregasted
13 years, 5 months ago
rob
kol, kyrg, bards
VDV, cahill, nani, nasri
drog, tevez, carroll

fost, MGP, evatt, foley

How can i start MGP??
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1. NLB
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Not possible to start MGP - your front 7 are [too] solid!
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2. donners
  13 years, 5 months ago
  My team is almost exactly the same and I have MGP 1st sub too - no other option.
  
  Who are you captaining?
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Cantona07
13 years, 5 months ago
any thoughts on who to captain, been thinking for the past 2 hrs and getting nowhere fast...

Nasri / VDV / Nani / Berbz / Drogba

i was leaning more towards Nani because hes fresh and def looking for a goal. but Nasri is mighty tempting. any thoughts would be appreciated
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1. Cunning Lingerers
  13 years, 5 months ago
  With Fabs being suspended this week Nasri looks good.
  
  I wouldn't expect too many goals at Birmingham so Utd may be a risk, especially if Nani has a troublesome hip.
  
  VDV may get not get a full run out with his recent injuries and two games in two days - But then again he's capable of hitting two goals in under an hour!
  
  Chelsea must be due a win and Drogs seems to be picking up the points a little better recently.
  
  So no idea really lol
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DAV087
13 years, 5 months ago
Who to play nzogbia or elmander???
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1. The Gravless Sheik of Dream…
  13 years, 5 months ago
  I am playing both ~ nzog does well against arse and chelsea is playing like wolves
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Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
13 years, 5 months ago
Torres or gerrard for the nx few weeks?
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1. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  How many times have you asked that in the last 24 hours? Seeing you have a brilliant team you should be able to work it out.
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  1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Haha I'm trying to get different peoples advice before bringing one in.
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    1. TorresMagic™
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Seeing they play different positions it really depends on who you are replacing rather than Gerrard vs Torres.
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NLB
13 years, 5 months ago
Foster
Shawcross Konchesky Kolarov
Nasri Nani Van Der Vaart N'Zogbia
Torres (c) Tevez Carroll
Subs: Robinson Coleman Jara Ferguson
4.9 in the bank for Fabregas next GW

3 things I'm unsure about:
1. keeper choice - Foster burned me last time vs. Chelsea at home, played Krul instead. Guaranteed save points at least.
2. having Coleman on the bench - I want to play a 3-4-3, and my three current defenders have good home games. West Ham have only been shut out at home once.
3. captain choice - Torres has no form, but Wolves at home looks very promising. Tevez and VDV (could see him rested/coming off early though) look like good bets as well.

Alright so, any thoughts?
Thanks
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1. NLB
  13 years, 5 months ago
  ...anyone?
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  1. TorresMagic™
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Looks good to me, good luck with your captain choice.
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    1. NLB
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Cheers mate, it'll be an interesting week. Everyone seems to be going in a different direction.
      Seen a handful of posts backing either Tevez, Torres, Nani, Nasri, Drogba, or VDV for captain!
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2. Cunning Lingerers
  13 years, 5 months ago
  It looks good to me. I managed to ditch Krul this week but I had the same dilemma with my keeper.
  
  I may be tempted to move Ferguson up the subs bench, he's capable of sneaking the odd bonus point whoever he's playing against.
  
  As for your captain problem I have the same issues I've been swapping from VDV to Tevez to Torres every five minutes! Though I have now managed to convince myself VDV won't get a full run out so Tevez or Torres will be a better option. *fingers crossed*
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  1. NLB
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Since Tevez has only 1 home goal since GW7, I think I'm going with Torres.
    
    It will surely change a few times before the deadline though!
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KLOPPTOMANIA
13 years, 5 months ago
Have I got my subs right?! Assuming Etherington plays...

Kolarov, Bardsley, Kyrgiakos (Rafael, Evatt)
Nani, Malouda, Nasri, VdV, Ethers,
Torres, Teves (Elmander)
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1. Boom!!!
  13 years, 5 months ago
  u don't have keepers?
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  1. KLOPPTOMANIA
    13 years, 5 months ago
    My keeper choice is no-brainer so didn't need to check. And the rest?
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Boom!!!
13 years, 5 months ago
rain rain come again!!!
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BKR
13 years, 5 months ago
Drogs has 2 home games, expecting him to fire at least in one game. Will this be heights of stupidity?

or
Drogs - Tevez?? (4pn hit)
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1. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  You deserve http://www.flip-coin.com for that post. Good luck.
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  1. BKR
    13 years, 5 months ago
    did you got a chance to watch yesterdays match??
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    1. TorresMagic™
      13 years, 5 months ago
      I watched the Chelsea match live. I didn't got a chance to see the MC game, only the goals. 😉
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TorresMagic™
13 years, 5 months ago
Anyone watching the T20 game between NZ & Pakistan?
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1. Boom!!!
  13 years, 5 months ago
  yes...106-3 nz
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  1. Boom!!!
    13 years, 5 months ago
    nz cricket grounds are so small even my younger brother can hit a six or two...
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    1. TorresMagic™
      13 years, 5 months ago
      NZ having a party now...
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KLOPPTOMANIA
13 years, 5 months ago
Have I got my subs right?! Assuming Etherington plays...

Kolarov, Bardsley, Kyrgiakos (Rafael, Evatt)
Nani, Malouda, Nasri, VdV, Ethers,
Torres, Tevez (Elmander)
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1. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Are you serious? Posted 3 minutes ago.
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  1. KLOPPTOMANIA
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Oops, didnt realise it went through, sorry
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    1. Boom!!!
      13 years, 5 months ago
      yes subs are in right order u could play rafa ahead of bardsley...
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2. Boom!!!
  13 years, 5 months ago
  u still don't have keepers?
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  1. KLOPPTOMANIA
    13 years, 5 months ago
    See above 🙂
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FPL Emu
13 years, 5 months ago
No one is talking about Gerrard, but is it worth it taking a hit to get him in for Cahill? (Gerrard is home to Wolves)
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1. Boom!!!
  13 years, 5 months ago
  not worth a hit for sure!
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  1. FPL Emu
    13 years, 5 months ago
    For sure? He's on set pieces and they are playing the worst team in the league + he has rested for a good while. Finding it strange no one is talking about him at least.
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    1. TorresMagic™
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Liverpool are the 2nd worst side in the league though..
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2. Perthite
  13 years, 5 months ago
  People (like me!) are talking about his possibly coming in short term ('til before GW24 WC) for Fabregas. Don't think I will take the 4 point hit though.
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Van Dal
13 years, 5 months ago
any chance drogba wont start against bolton? played full 90 vs arsenal
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BKR
13 years, 5 months ago
first time this season, I lost my second place in MiniLeague..

fcukin' Berbs, VDV ..
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1. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Can I join your league, it would be 1st, 11 points to me then daylight to 3rd.....
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  1. BKR
    13 years, 5 months ago
    TM, what is your team link?? 🙂
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    1. TorresMagic™
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Click my link & find it.
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Public user
13 years, 5 months ago
No one mention anything abt Rooney or berb haha

Hey guys need one more

Nzog Coleman Elmo. Elmander

Which one ?? Thinkin of Elmo or nzog
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Bartos
13 years, 5 months ago
Guys, who to capt:

Nani / VDV / Tevez / Nasri
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1. Gregor
  13 years, 5 months ago
  VDV or Tevez. I've currently got it on the dutchman given Citys lack of goals at home.
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2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
  13 years, 5 months ago
  See captain poll
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  1. BKR
    13 years, 5 months ago
    See Captain's poll and do against it.. 🙂
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  2. Perthite
    13 years, 5 months ago
    ... and pick the one ranked 2nd?
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TorresMagic™
13 years, 5 months ago
Hey Boom, what is Taylor doing? He's going crazy....
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Ernie_Schitt
13 years, 5 months ago
Worth getting n'gog in for elmander for liverpool coverage?
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1. Gregor
  13 years, 5 months ago
  No, now Gerrard's back I don't think Ngog will be in the team.
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2. Cunning Lingerers
  13 years, 5 months ago
  There is a good chance N'gog will be dropped with the return of Gerrard.
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Gregor
13 years, 5 months ago
Am I to assume we're not bothering with the scout picks this week then?
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1. Perthite
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Shhh - no-one knows that the GW closes today...
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2. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Have patience, gameweek deadline is 4 hours away. They will be out before deadline. Can't people make up their mind up without them?
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  1. Gregor
    13 years, 5 months ago
    My team's already settled, I just like a nice read.
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    1. TorresMagic™
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Seeing where you are ranked, you can survive without them for a week. Good work. 🙂
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ife
13 years, 5 months ago
Anyone knows if chamak will be starting next game instead of van persie...V.persie didnt look anything near quality ynite
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1. TorresMagic™
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Check team news above.
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TorresMagic™
13 years, 5 months ago
Top score this week in the Xmas League was 83. For those who had a good gameweek score, enter the code above to see how well you do for the rest of the season.
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1. Perthite
  13 years, 5 months ago
  What do you consider a good gameweek score?
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  1. TorresMagic™
    13 years, 5 months ago
    One where you get a green arrow would be a start.
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2. Anti-Ipswich
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Cricket was a disaster eh?
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