[sbu_large_image] Scout Notes
21 February 2011 688 comments
Paul Paul
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Roy Hodgson takes the positives from a last-gasp draw in West Brom’s crucial bottom-of-the-table showdown with Wolves. The Tevez-Dzeko partnership shows signs of success at The Guvnor’s expense, Klasnic comes to Bolton’s rescue to dump Sparky out the cup and Orient provide the fairytale element to earn an Emirates replay. Here’s the notes from Sunday’s league and cup action…

For the first Black Country derby in nigh on two years, Roy Hodgson made just one alteration from the side that threw away a three goal lead against West Ham last week; Gabriel Tamas replaced Youssouf Mulumbu, who missed out due to a hamstring injury. That change pushed Paul Scharner back into a midfield role. Hodgson had on-loan Arsenal man Carlos Vela to thank for an injury-time equaliser, with the Mexican coming off the bench to score the goal that ensured the visitors stay rooted to the bottom of the table. Up until then the Baggies had again been wasteful in front of goal, with Peter Odemwingie and Marc-Antoine Fortune particularly culpable.

With just two points from two home matches against two of their main relegation rivals this gameweek, new boss Hodgson has failed to boost the club’s survival chances, and Fantasy Managers who invested in the likes of Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie will feel let down by their returns. Both had opportunities to register points; Brunt’s set-pieces in particular were a threat all afternoon but came to nothing. The Baggies have a testing run of fixtures on the horizon and there’s no doubt those who drafted in their players in light of this double gameweek will now be looking to get rid, fairly sharpish.

Mick McCarthy’s side stopped a run of four straight away defeats with the Hawthorns draw, though in fairness Wolves owed a debt to keeper Wayne Hennessey, who defied their hosts time and again, ending the match with eleven saves but, surprisingly, no FPL Bonus Points. On-loan Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara gave Wolves the lead and bagged the maximum 3 Bonus Points instead, for his performance, with Matt Jarvis awarded 2.

Subject of Big Dunc’s recent Spot the Differential article, O’Hara was something of a Bonus Point darling last season during his time at Portsmouth -he picked up 25 Bonus Points- and with Blackpool up next at Molinuex, could easily get amongst the points again, as Wolves look to pick up from their last home game, the 2-1 win over Man United.

Roberto Mancini fielded a strong Man City XI for the Fourth Round FA Cup replay with Notts County, handing starts to the likes of Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli, with the young Italian returning from injury. Aleksandar Kolarov again started left of a front three, suggesting Mancini will continue to field him there as opposed to left-back.

Following a lethargic opening, it was Patrick Viera who steadied the City ship with a double to set them on their way to the next round. Carlos Tevez came on for Balotelli just before the hour mark and his partnership with Dzeko came good, much to the visitor’s chagrin. First, Tevez ran on to a Dzeko through ball to squeeze home the third, then the Argentine returned the favour, floating over a cross for Dzeko to nod home at close range. Micah Richards’ fifth was unfair on Paul Ince’s visitors, who troubled Joe Hart on a number of occasions at the other end.

Fulham failed to take their home league form into the tie with Bolton and were made to pay. Mark Hughes’ side have chalked up four league clean sheets on the trot at Craven Cottage but, with key midfielder Simon Davies missing, could not find a way past Owen Coyle’s side. Good news for the club is the return to first-team action of Bobby Zamora, who appeared midway through the second half as a substitute, in his first appearance since gameweek 4.

Owen Coyle benched the misfiring Johan Elmander, allowing Ivan Klasnic to join Kevin Davies up front for the Trotters. With Daniel Sturridge cup-tied, Klasnic provided the decisive goal, his second winner in the last week. Stuart Holden came back into midfield and at the back, Marcos Alonso stepped in for the injured Sam Ricketts and proved an able deputy, helping Bolton to chalk up a rare away clean sheet.

Alex Song was the only survivor from Arsenal’s midweek triumph over Barcelona as the Gunners travelled to Orient yesterday evening. Tomas Rosicky gave Arsene Wenger’s side the lead in a match they completely dominated from start to finish but misses from Andrei Arshavin and Marouanne Chamakh proved costly in the end, as the home side equalised at the death to earn the right of a replay. The Emirates re-match will take place on Wednesday March 2, extinguishing any hope that the league fixture with Spurs would drop into gameweek 28. The blank gameweek for Arsenal and Spurs is confirmed then.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

688 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. More Cowbell
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    Oh my giddy ant, did anyone see that bird on Top Gear last night?

    Phwoooarrrrr.

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    1. More Cowbell
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Oh man, top of the page. Going to have to provide an example:

      http://www.sugarslam.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/amber-heard.jpg

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

        That would be Amber Heard, best known for her role in the epic film that was 'Never Back Down'.

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      2. Pop Ooh Yeah ★x8
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Yep quality indeed. If only all lesbians looked like this. 😉

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        1. The Rock
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          What did Clarkson say again?

          If Carlsberg done...?? thaught it was great. Quality girl.

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          1. More Cowbell
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 2 months ago

            Think it was just "if Carlsberg did guests".

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            1. The Rock
              • 16 Years
              15 years, 2 months ago

              Think your right, some guest she was too!

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      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Even my missus was giving me permission to look her up on t'internet 🙂

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

          My mate was obsessed with her (because he's a weirdo). Was genuinely gutted when she came out...

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          1. More Cowbell
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 2 months ago

            It's a crime against nature that she's a lesbian.

            She drives a mustang and shoots machine guns for crying out loud!

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          2. Drip Doctor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            15 years, 2 months ago

            Shes Bi. Your mate still has a chance.

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          3. Twisted Saltergater
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 2 months ago

            She's bi-sexual though so he still has a chance... and it's likely to be a threesome lol.

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            1. More Cowbell
              • 16 Years
              15 years, 2 months ago

              Bi? Greedy bitch.

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      4. Attila the Bum
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Brrrrrrrrrrrrrowwwwwwwwwwwwrrrrrrrrrr
        Not bad.

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

        As far as lesbo girl firends, she could do better:

        http://static.poponthepop.com/images/gallery/amber-heard-and-tasya-van-ree_385x594.jpg

        But then again she could have done worse and went with a butch, a huge turn-off. I just hope she's over her Ayn Rand love affair...closet conservatism/libtardedness.

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    2. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      OMG, she was amazing on Top Gear, the perfect women. Shame she had the slowest dry lap after promising so much but a great wank nonetheless.

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      1. Attila the Bum
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        😆
        Shame she had the slowest dry lap after promising so much but a great wank nonetheless.

        The most horrific sentence ever on FFScout? It has it all, innuendo that Sid James would blush at and waaaaay too much information. Bravo!

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        1. The Rock
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          Brilliant!

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        2. More Cowbell
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          To be fair though...

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

          Indeed!!

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

        Hahaha

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

    Fabregas out for Cahill

    or

    RVP out for Rooney and bring Cahill in the next GW.

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    1. More Cowbell
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      The latter for me.

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

      Why you getting rid of Fab or RVP?

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      1. More Cowbell
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Arsenal have a blank gameweek and he has 4 out (5 if Adam gets a yellow) for GW28.

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

          ohhh ok, was just wondering why everyone was selling fab & rvp. My plan is to bench Fab,RVP & Djourou

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

            That's a lot of cash sitting, hope you have some bargain basement sleepers...

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    3. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      No way would I get rid of RVP – the most in form player in the league. Suicidal

      Also – does rooneys double look that good? Really? 2 away games one against Chelsea (probably a 0-0)

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    4. bossa
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, its too early to decide since Arsenal still have to play Huth and co.

      I'll wait til friday.

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  3. Wounded Prophets
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    Looking at making 1 change this week to give me 11 players

    What do you rekon to

    Bentley > Giggs or Fletcher

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

      neither

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      1. The Rock
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Neither is right.

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    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Surely you want Bentley for next week? How about losing Walcott short term, or even Fabregas?

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      1. Wounded Prophets
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Would look at shipping out the following week for a Birmingham player either Gardner or Bentley

        Will go and have a re-think

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

          Don't be greedy...

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  4. gforce85
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    hi guys, 1st post so go easy.

    with vdv injured for wed its suits my team as i stupidly had him as captain. however my emergency captain is by value. does that mean il get RVP as captain even tho i have torres on the bench who is valued more.

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

      RVP

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    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Fabregas

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    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      If Van Persie is the most expensive player in your 11 after the auto-subs have taken affect, then yes.

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    4. Boom!!!
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      fab will be ur new captain.

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

      Luiz

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    6. gforce85
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      doh! forgot clean all about fabregas. cheers.

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

        (in Yoda voice) Ahh, forget Fabregas about clean all you will.

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

      That might work out better than you think...

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  5. Baby Face Nelson
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    VDV definitely out of Blackpool match and might not even make the Wolves game

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

      Lennon is the new VDV 😉

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  6. mr messi
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    When's Bale back?

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    1. The Rock
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Spurs are hoping he will be fit for the 2nd leg against Ac Milan.

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

        Rock - hows the team coming along? You have 11 starting for gw 28?

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      2. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Just noticed that the 2nd leg of ac is 3 days after wolves away. Not a hope in hells chance vdv will be playing that game. Even more annoying.

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

    Attila, it's a hot press, not an airing cupboard 😉

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    1. Attila the Bum
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      I've had such arguments with the missus about your barbarian lingo 🙂

      'Plug it out' rather than unplug it - is that just a Tipperary thing?

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

    I need Wallcott to score a hat-trick. Theo, if you're reading this, please score a hat-trick against Stoke. Thx

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

      Yeah, Theo Break a leg.

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      1. The Rock
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        With you on the hat-trick Soop.

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    2. Boom!!!
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      😆
      i need walcott to get a red card.Theo, if you’re reading this, please get a red card against Stoke. Thx... 😉

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      1. Attila the Bum
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        +1
        Thx too...

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

        This is probably a more constructive way of asking him for something. Is it NOT trying to score goals normally?

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

        And a hat-trick out of Fab would be Fab!!! I have Theo and RVP, along with every other sap in my league...Fab is my differentiator...

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

          same with me.....need fa to score a lot and theo not do anything...

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  9. The Rock
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    Ancelotti will soon be gone i reckon, who could they bring in that would do better though? Think they would love Hiddink but will he go back? apart form that there aren't much better options that Ancelotti.

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    1. Attila the Bum
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Big Sam?

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

        Bring back the Tinker man!!!

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

        He said he would be fit to win trophies with the big clubs no problem, lets see can he!

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    2. Boom!!!
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 2 months ago

      Roy keane 😉

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      1. The Rock
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        Hopefully, so he can destroy 1 of utd's main rivals!

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        1. Boom!!!
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 2 months ago

          'Hopefully, so he can destroy 1 of utd’s main rivals'
          chelsea are no longer our rivals...

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

      The Porto coach will slide in there...Big Sam should stay on TV.

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  10. Boom!!!
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    LEE wicket 😀

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

    That girl off top gear looks really familiar. I'm sure it's from a film, but I can't remember what one. I have an image of her laughing.

    Either that or it's what's her face from pirates of the carribean

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

      Boom!!!!

      What a memory! I watched this episode of Criminal Minds last week:
      http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0760469/

      She kisses the math guy. Yeah, she's hot.

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  12. Billy Ketsu
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    Well, according to today's Grauniad Rumour Mill 'Arry might be off to jail...

    "In other high profile managerial merry-go-round news, Tottenham Hotspur will replace Harry Redknapp with Everton manager David Moyes if their manager is convicted of tax evasion this summer. Redknapp denies allegations that former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric paid him £189,000 via an offshore bank account during his spell at Fratton Park, but efforts by his solicitors to get the charges dropped ended in failure and he'll have to stand trial. In the event of getting convicted, Harry could get sent down for a spell in the Big House, where it's not difficult to imagine him becoming one of those guys that "knows how to get things".

    Bloody hell!

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  13. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    To all those who benefit from Van Der Vaart's absence by having Nani rise off their benches, I hope you all get bummed by Dion Dublin

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

      LOL...here here!

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  14. Boom!!!
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    new post!

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

    need differential, brunt > Silva worth?

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  16. Egg noodle
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    +1

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  17. Egg noodle
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 2 months ago

    test

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

      No I think it's world cup

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      1. Egg noodle
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        LOL. i am testing a script to steal somebody elses gravatar on wordpress. next i need a script to count the number of posts on a page lol

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      2. Egg noodle
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        all of this is a part of a project, which will result in an update of wordpress 🙂

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      3. Egg noodle
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 2 months ago

        (copy gravatar and link)

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