Selection
12 April 2011 1708 comments
Mark Mark
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Our Watchlist rankings have been updated today to measure our current thinking on player acquisition strategies with just six gameweeks remaining. You can view this now in your right-hand sidebars.

Predictably, Chelsea’s double gameweek boost cements their players as key targets right now, with leaders in three of the four positions. Only Carlo Ancelotti’s rotation policy up front keeps their strikers from threatening a clean sweep.

The dominance continues at the back with Petr Cech and David Luiz topping the goalkeeper and defender rankings. There can be few arguments here, although Birmingham’s Ben Foster and Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet clearly offer potential at a lower price point. Liverpool’s Pepe Reina is the big climber in the keeper rankings – he offers a secure route to Kenny Dalglish’s backline which should earn further shutouts before the end of the season given the goal threat offered by some of their opponents. City’s Joe Hart, with improved fixtures after the gameweek double, makes a return to our Watchlist reckoning.

With Luiz topping the defenders, there is very little movement below him. Everton’s Leighton Baines, Villa’s Kyle Walker and Birmingham’s Roger Johnson remain our top back four options, with Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley climbing to fifth spot.

The intriguing option is offered by Liverpool’s Fabio Aurelio who, with injuries to Martin Kelly, Glen Johnson and Dan Agger, appears to have secured a starting role for Liverpool and will offer attacking threat and set-piece involvement over the run-in, together with clean sheet potential of course. At 5.8 in the Fantasy Premier League game he comes at a price but clearly offers a forward-thinking alternative to Martin Skrtel.

Frank Lampard remains the top target in midfield going into gameweek 33, despite a frustrating blank against Wigan last time out. The fact remains that only six midfielders have fired in more efforts on goal than Lampard over the last four gameweeks; similarly only six midfielders have contributed more key passes – of these players players, only team-mate Flourent Malouda has a double fixture this week. Lampard is a big investment, but, on his day and particularly with the assistance of spot-kicks, he’s unquestionably a heavy points scorer.

Blackpool’s Charlie Adam is the next in line with four home matches in the next five gameweeks, while Cesc Fabregas with assured starts over Arsenal’s double, climbs to third spot. Team-mate Theo Walcott claims fifth place, banishing former top spot tenant Nani to a lowly sixth spot in our rankings. Despite a sparkling showing with two assists against Fulham, with his starting role under threat from Valencia – there are stronger options than Nani in midfield right now; he will likely climb again however, once Arsenal’s double fixture has passed.

Charles N’Zogbia is the big climber below him as Wigan’s fixtures improve – more on him to come this week. Dirk Kuyt’s incredible run of 5 goals in as many gameweeks has him continue to scale the rankings – despite a run of opponents that will test Liverpool’s newfound fluency and goal threat. Further down, it’s worth noting that Luka Modric now tops team-mate Rafael Van der Vaart in our reckoning. The Dutchman badly needs to find returns if he is to stall his slide, while Modric continues to hoover Fantasy Premier League Bonus Points to boost his stock. Lower still, the likes of Clint Dempsey, Matt Etherington and Jamie O’Hara need the gameweek 33 blank to pass before they are ready to climb the rankings.

Moving up front and Arsenal’s double fixture maintains Robin Van Persie’s position with Wayne Rooney ranked second – he is set to return against Newcastle barring injury in tonight’s Champions League Quarter-Final.

Darren Bent holds third, with Sunderland’s Asamoah Gyan well placed as his run of fixtures presents ample opportunity for a season end goal glut. The form of Daniel Sturridge, coupled with his tough gameweek 34 double fixture keeps him high in our thinking, as the Liverpool pair of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll threaten. Investment in that pair looks inevitable following last night’s beating handed out to City, although as our earlier “Frisking the Fixtures” discussed, we have some reservations about Liverpool’s run-in.

With plenty of budget potential offered by the likes of Junior Hoilett, Peter Odemwingie, Demba Ba and, in gameweek 34, Bobby Zamora, many Fantasy Managers could be leaning towards two cheaper striker options with heavy investment in midfield once again.

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

  1. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    3 of that Chelsea back line are extremely slow, I fancy Hernandez for a goal here.

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  2. G0SS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    U.N.I....T.E.D.

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    1. HST
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Epic gravatar.

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      1. G0SS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        WHy thank you. Yours is similar but very different.

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  3. Jas aka The age of Ozil is …
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Saying that Rooney is playing "fantastically" removes all credibility you have an analyst...

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    1. Jas aka The age of Ozil is …
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      *as an Analyst

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        In your opinion ... 😉

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        1. Jas aka The age of Ozil is …
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          haha, ofcourse 🙄

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      2. dribbler
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        ahh an old ffs classic...mangling the English language while complaining that somebody else has mangled the language

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        1. alsybach
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          excellent!

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    2. HST
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      I would say a hattrick in 15 minutes when 2 nil down and scoring the winner away in the first leg of CL qtr final is pretty fantastic.

      And I hate the C*&t.

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        LOL! 🙂

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  4. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Nani over Valencia, suprised. Valencia offers the defensive cover that Nani does not, SAF is obviously confident.

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    1. Cheggers
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Not you too Granville. Nani is a far superior player to Valencia.

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Not sure where in my post it says otherwise.

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      He's got the handbag, tonight!!! 🙂

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    3. Jas aka The age of Ozil is …
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      He's the best player on united! questioning why park is in

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      1. alsybach
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        doees that mean Nani will be rested against the scum????

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    4. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Disagree, Nani has improved his work rate hugely this year.

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        So why did he push Valencia to full back when Nani came on last week?

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        1. jamsiep
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          😕

          Valencia still being better defensively than Nani doesn't mean that Nani hasn't improved in that sense.

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          1. Cheggers
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 10 months ago

            'sigh'

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          2. Granville
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 10 months ago

            I know, but my original post stands.

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            1. Cheggers
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 10 months ago

              Ok, I thought you were agreeing with Chuckles who said that he thinks Valencia is a better player than Nani.

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            2. Granville
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 10 months ago

              Anyway all I'm saying is I expected Valencia to start, the rest of the team was predictable.

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              1. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
                • 15 Years
                14 years, 10 months ago

                me too, tony was v good on saturday

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        2. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          Could be for a host of reasons, trust, discipline...

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  5. mr messi
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Torres will score tonight.

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    1. Akers
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      lol, good one.

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      1. mr messi
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Mark my words Akers!

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        1. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          someone has said that every game

          the fact that someone WILL eventually be right renders your prediction, if correct, meaningless

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          1. ...---...
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 10 months ago

            Horses for courses maybe. He's got previous at Old Trafford has he not?

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    2. HST
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Haley's comet should be passing overhead at that exact moment.

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        On fire tonight, H S. T? 😉

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        1. HST
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          Every night MMW.

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            1. HST
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 10 months ago

              Beautiful.

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  6. Hammer
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Is walcott a starter when fit???

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    1. johnbobman
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Doesn't he still get rotated with arshavin or others?

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    2. alsybach
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      definitely not.

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  7. The painted man
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    With Nani being rotated should I Take out Nani and odemwingie for Rooney and Barry Ferguson ??

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  8. noodles33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    who the hell is this G0SS eijit anyway, get a life you loser

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    1. G0SS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Ha hello W@anky Sausage Balls. Dont start this. It shall end with me killing you until you die from it.

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      1. alsybach
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        faggots

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  9. Locarno
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Alex wincast 20/1. Hmmm...

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  10. invincibles4ever
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Has paddypower.com blown up? I can't get on there!

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    1. cucumber
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      same

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      1. ...---...
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Didn't it crash during the National?

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        1. invincibles4ever
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          Come to think of it, yeah!

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  11. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Here we go! El Nino time!!!

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    1. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      el none-o time

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      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        How are you on the ABU list...

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        1. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          what?

          i'm a liverpool fan, what do you expect from me when it comes to torres?

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          1. Drip Doctor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 10 months ago

            Ah right, fair doos then. Still, Suarez & Carroll are looking goood!

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            1. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
              • 15 Years
              14 years, 10 months ago

              don't get me wrong

              i am in no way bitter about torres

              i just find it funny

              i feel positive and excited about suarroll (and kuyt!)

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        2. PFOR
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          It's getting that sad that you go out of your way to be extra ABU, just to be promoted or whatever.

          Before it was natural ABUing 🙂

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  12. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    no team ever knocked united out having lost the first leg at home....interesting

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    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Only happened twice in champions league history.

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      1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        im very tempted to go with chelsea to qualify, 3/1 on betfair....united i feel have just not been 100% this year..aarrrggh! might just give it a miss...

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  13. PFOR
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Tonight could be one of those special nights at OT.

    Either that or Chelsea will go through on away goals..

    Should be interesting, I predict a score draw.

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  14. Locarno
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Carlo: "You'll have to watch the game to work out if we're going to play with a 4-3-3 formation. If possible we have to control the game by controlling the possession. I picked Fernando [Torres] un front because we want to play with a certain shape. The key is to win. We have to play 90 minutes at our best."

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    1. PFOR
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Shaking in my boots.

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  15. jamsiep
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Essien 'a natural sitting midfield'.

    Who is this guy?!

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      One of your players, I understand ... 😉

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  16. HST
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Lol at all the people from London struggling to get to the game...

    The place is a quarter full, you couldn't write it, f*^king genius.

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    1. jamsiep
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Sums it up really.

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    2. Akers
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      There's barely an empty seat.

      😕

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      1. HST
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        At the time of typing they cited the M6 being closed creating probems for people coming from London for all the empty seats, the timing was genius.

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  17. jamsiep
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    "56% - Manchester United have won 56% of their CL games on Tuesdays, compared to 52% on Wednesdays. Ruby."

    Seriously scraping the barrel is our good friend OptaJoe.

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    1. cucumber
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      😆

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    2. Ini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Instead of "Ruby", it should have been "irrelevant"

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  18. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    well, ive only gone and done it...20 on chelsea to qualify, 3/1 betfair.

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    1. cucumber
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      good luck.

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    2. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      3/1 is not good enough man, looking at how it has only happened twice in CL history

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      1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        nah , doesnt matter-its unrelated really.

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    3. alsybach
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      whether they do it or not.....that sounds a decent bet to me.

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  19. AP
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    C'MON UNITED!

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    1. jamsiep
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      -1

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    2. Cheggers
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      -1 x a million. No backsies.

      C'mon Chelsea

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    3. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      C'MON THE REF!

      🙂

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        😆 !!!

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    4. Boom!!!
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      +1 x a billion 😉

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      1. Cheggers
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        NO BACKSIES

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    5. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      c'mon controversies!

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  20. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Hey, applebonkers! You about? 🙂

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    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      yello

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Downstairs. 🙂

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  21. FPL Emu
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    As a United fan, sitting waiting (hoping) for the unpredictable Iranian TV-channel to suddenly turn to Old Trafford-coverage, is just painful. Right now there's some sort of show starring convicts with blurred faces. One of'em looked like Vidic though.

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    1. invincibles4ever
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      You sure that isn't The only way is Essex?

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      1. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        you a preston fan? cool

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        1. invincibles4ever
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          🙂

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          1. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 10 months ago

            i hope you guys stay up, i really do, probably left the resurgence a bit late though...

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  22. PFOR
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Can't wait to read all the comments later. Goodbye for now 🙂

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  23. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Barca up 5-1 going in and fields a full strength team.
    Not what SAF or Wenger would do.
    Made 5 changes to my CL team for a 8 point hit

    Neuer

    Daniel Alves - Piqué - Vidić - Marcelo

    Giggs - Nani - Özil

    Messi (C) - Hernández - Raúl González

    Unnerstall - Van der Vaart - K. Papadopoulos - Sandro

    Damn thats a good team

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    1. cucumber
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      wish you could make 5 FPL changes for 8 points.

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  24. cucumber
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    wow, this will be fun to watch as a neutral. Hopefully there will be goals.

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  25. Cheggers
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    im off to watch the game. I would love it, LOVE IT, if Man U got beat tonight.

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  26. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    i like football

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      😛 Is this guy not a good ringer for Paul Ince? 🙂

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCW1i5HQ0o0

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      1. Cheggers
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Racist

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          When you know what that term means, do come back to me. I have been in jail in South Africa.

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          1. Cheggers
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 10 months ago

            I was joking Michael

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            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 10 months ago

              Fair enough, Cheggers.

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              1. Cheggers
                • 16 Years
                14 years, 10 months ago

                Soz 🙁

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        2. alsybach
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          what is racist about that you stupid little pri ck?

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          1. applebonkers
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 10 months ago

            yeah you white *edited by admin*

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      2. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        a little bit
        i prefer ince's voice...

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          😯 But it's Lou Rawls!!!

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    2. alsybach
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      i like you

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

        you like everyone Al...

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        1. alsybach
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          link your team looooooooser!!!!

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    3. Retro
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      I like traffic lights.

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  27. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone else noticed that Paddy Power manage to advertise EVERYWHERE but can't keep their website running for more than 5 minutes???? trying to put an accumulator on the Championship games and getting error messages when i try and get on their website and android site. grrrr

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    1. dribbler
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      it's all the plonkers trying to place bets at the last minute

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

        been trying for an hour fells

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

          *fella*

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        2. alsybach
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          hollwg you really are a pleb

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

            Thanks mate. Glad to know I'm living up to the standards you've set...

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    2. invincibles4ever
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Same here. was only going to put a few quid on but now that I can't it's making we want what I can't have even more!

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  28. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Early Anelka goal to be cancelled out by a few United goals including one from Hernandez. Either that or a 0-0

    Buggu it!

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    1. Akers
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Made a bet on goal in first 10 minutes. Rapid start I reckon.

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    2. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      i predict a chelsea win, or a man u win, or a draw

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      1. Akers
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Buggu-marked.

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      2. invincibles4ever
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        I predict two of out of those

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  29. AriseSirGiggsy
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Gigga... Giggs will tear you apart... again

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  30. gooner dave
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Rio looks to be struggling.

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    1. wozza
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      rio's night is finished

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