[sbu_large_image] Team News
16 September 2011 425 comments
johnfinlay johnfinlay
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The most anticipated showdown this weekend unquestionably comes at Old Trafford and Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to recall plenty big names after making eight changes to his midweek Champions League starting lineup for the trip to Benfica. Opposite number Andre Villas-Boas, will once again be without Didier Drogba but elsewhere has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from.

Rafael Van der Vaart is doubtful so Emmanuel Adebayor should continue up top with Jermain Defoe for the visit of Liverpool; Kenny Dalglish is without Glen Johnson and must decide whether to keep Andy Carroll benched. Arsene Wenger welcomes back Gervinho and Alex Song from suspension for the trip to Blackburn, whilst new signings Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun should keep their places- the Israeli played furthest forward of the Arsenal midfield trio in the midweek draw at Dortmund.

Roberto Mancini will likely rotate some of his side at Fulham after their efforts against Napoli on Wednesday. Mick McCarthy could be without key marksman Steven Fletcher and may push Stephen Ward up front from left-back as they face QPR. Emmerson Boyce is rated 50/50 for Wigan’s game at Goodison Park, which could see Ronnie Stam facing Leighton Baines on the flank.

For all the latest reports, outs’n’doubts and predicted lineups, keep checking our dedicated Team News page as updates continue to fly in. Of course, our trusty Twitter feed also brings you sourced reports and rumours right up until kick-off.

johnfinlay John swears he'll deliver unbiased Fantasy Premier League tips and news...until Leeds get promoted.

425 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Spoiler
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    fletcher unlikely to feature. ward 😀

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    1. Scroobius Mac
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      New press conference or the old one?

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  2. MA
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Dzeko (C) Ward (VC) :D:D:D

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  3. Guybrush Threepwood
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Start Enrique or Simpson? Thanks

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    1. Fratboy
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Simpson

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    2. kamikaze8
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      +1

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  4. Viper
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    To Start:

    Vorm or Given

    Simpson or Bosingwa

    (Hit the button on Moses -> Wright-Phillips, immediately regret not getting Jarvis!)

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  5. kamikaze8
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Who to bench out of:

    Brunt, Bosingwa, Wes Brown, Danny Graham

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    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Bosingwa..

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      1. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        +1

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    2. Commander Makara
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Let me tell you where I am:
      Brunt might do another 7 min cameo 🙁
      So on that note he's out!

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  6. ToffeeCrisp
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    anyone got any opinions on which to go for... for this week and for longterm scoring

    A) Arteta & Long

    OR

    B) Wright-Phillips & Adebayor

    cheers in advance

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    1. HST
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      I'd go for batman & Robin.

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      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Kezman and Benjamin Button left a loooong time ago 😉

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      2. ToffeeCrisp
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        we all know Superman won that battle... just

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  7. samcro
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Team sorted, happy with it, no hit, 8 players at home (only Arsenal and Man City) players away.

    Baines (c) as his final hurrah before getting rid next week in my wildcard.

    What could possibly go wrong?!

    Cue a 30 point week...

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    1. Fratboy
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      I have 8 players at home, no hit, Walcott, Dzeko & Steven Taylor away.

      Dzeko captain.

      Cue 69 point week, that's my average so far 😉

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      1. MA
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Confident?

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        1. Fratboy
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 6 months ago

          NO hahaha

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      2. samcro
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        I wish my average was 69.

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        1. Fratboy
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 6 months ago

          If I get 69 this week I think I'll donate half my points to charity

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    2. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Why wildcard next week when you can wait 1 and do it for the international break

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      1. samcro
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Cos that's the way I roll.

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        1. Fratboy
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 6 months ago

          +1

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  8. rohan
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    sorry if i sound dumb but worth a 4 point hit to get ward in for hughes??/

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    1. Effe
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      I would do it

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    2. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      No. QPR could definitely score, it's not like you're putting in a Chelsea or Man City defenfer in.

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  9. The Artist
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    any glaring oversights?

    vorm (foster)
    warnock/ward/bosingwa (staylor/delaet)
    arteta/nzog/cahill/silva (obertan)
    odem/aguero/gervinho

    .8 in bank to do cahill > mata next week.

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  10. zee303
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Any West Brom fans know if Brunt is likely to play?

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    1. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      awaiting fitness test (im not a westbrom fan, just read that on here, its in the tweets section)

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  11. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Bosingwa, NTaylor, Dyer, Brunt, Cabaye.

    Need to start 2, the rest will be on the bench. Which 2 should I play?

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    1. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Currently on this:

      Given
      Kompany - Brown - Simpson
      Young - Silva(c) - Cabaye - Dyer
      Rooney - Suarez - Dzeko

      Subs: Vorm - Brunt, Bosingwa, NTaylor

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  12. A little knowledge
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys

    Barton or wright Phillips

    Cheap midfielder required

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    1. The Spudgunner
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      SWP for me son.

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    2. rohan
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      wright phillips

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    3. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      I shockingly have both, that wont be for long though. Barton got 2 bp's in the last game, SWP looked really lively though. If you have the money then may be SWP but Barton is still a good choice.

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  13. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Who to captain?

    Vorm
    RTaylor Ward Enrique
    Young Nasri Arteta Jarvis
    Suarez Rooney Dzeko

    I have a feeling that Ward might do well(playing up front) also risk it with Dzeko or go safe with Rooney?

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    1. A little knowledge
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Rooney v good record against Chelski even when Utd lose but hate to admit it city look good and Dzecko on fire. Dzecko shades it for me

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  14. HST
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Roy say anything about Brunt?

    Struggling to field 11 the week after wild card, sums this season up so far.

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    1. The Artist
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      right there with you, hst.

      wildcarding this week after 41 ppgw in gws 1-4. didn't realize how fortunate i was to have last season's rooney (drogba) from the outset last year.

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  15. Le Bluff
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Why the big support of Ward? I haven't seen any of Wolves this season, so is he an oop defender? Just curious, as I'm seeing wild gambles with people giving him the Captaincy/Vice captaincy!

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    1. Scroobius Mac
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      I'd say it's 50% people joking and 50% due to the fact that the Top 6 are all away from home or playing each other.
      He's likely to be OOP this weekend as Fletcher is out.

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    2. MA
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      He is a defender on the game, but mooted as playing up front this week with fletchers injury.

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    3. Bubbles
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      If Fletcher is out (don't think it's confirmed yet, is it?) Ward will probably play up top with Doyle. I'm tempted to throw the armband his way I've got to admit. I don't expect him to score, but I feel it's worth a gamble.

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      1. samcro
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        If you don't think he'll score I wouldn't captain him...

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      2. njfsdkffslkf
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        I think QPR will score.

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        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 6 months ago

          +1.
          can see a lot of 1-1s this weekend and it being a relatively low scoring fpl week as a result

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          1. Fratboy
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 6 months ago

            same...lot's of very even match ups this weekend

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        2. Bubbles
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 6 months ago

          I don't think it's a safe choice by any means (I'll more than likely bottle it anyway), but I am tempted.

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          1. Bubbles
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 6 months ago

            It's quite a ridiculous choice actually, but I'm still tempted!

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            1. applebonkers
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 6 months ago

              i'll be cheering him on. like nothing better than a utility player, he's like footballing ketchup, goes with almost anything

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  16. Dannny
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Shall i play Enrique or S taylor? Both are away but tricky fixtures for both... I'mm leaning towards taylor as 0-0 for the newcastle game would be my guess

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    1. samcro
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Taylor.

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  17. MJonno_79
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Struggling to decide on who to bench out off this lot this weekend.

    De Laet, Simpson,Woodgate
    Moses, Dyer
    Holt
    Any advice welcome.
    The rest of my team are starters regardless.

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  18. The Spudgunner
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Vorm
    Smalling Simpson Kompany(De Laet Bosingwa)
    Young Jarvis N'Zogbia Larsson(Ferguson)
    Aguero Rooney Suarez
    0.4 in the bank

    FT:0 WC:1

    Gunna do Smalling->Shawcross/Woodgate,N'Zogbia+Larsson->Silva+SWP,Aguero->Dzeko if I use me WC.

    Thoughts

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  19. tomstigers
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    RMT PLEASE

    Vorm

    S Ward - W Brown - Shawcross

    Silva - Arteta - Modric - M Petrov

    Rooney - Agbonlahor - Aguero

    Bench
    Al Habsi - Anderson - R Taylor - Simpson

    1.4 in the bank and using wildcard

    RMT PLEASE

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    1. samcro
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Taylor and Simpson is overkill. What about Boyata instead?

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  20. Samwise the Brave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    R Taylor or S taylor?

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    1. The Spudgunner
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      S Taylor,Gunna start every week!!!!!

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      1. Samwise the Brave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Have them both need to pick which one to play this week

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  21. tomstigers
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Aguero or Dzeko to start for CITY?

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    1. samcro
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Both.

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    2. A little knowledge
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Can't understand why they don't both start make it easy on all of us. Dzecko for me

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  22. Le Bluff
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Someone put it well earlier - 'the casual players will Captain Rooney.' I wouldn't class myself as a casual player, but I can't see any other option than Rooney! I'd have little confidence in RVP (c) and Baines is a very good shout for those who have him. My only viable options (IMO) are Rooney and Bent (home fixtures have a big bearing on my (c) choice).

    Who are other people captaining?

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    1. samcro
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      If I didn't have Baines I'd captain Rooney without hesitation, but I do.

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  23. Ace Ventura
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else captaining Gabby?

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    1. Hate that rotation
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      He in good form but too risky

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      1. Ace Ventura
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Im 100pts behind and all the big guns are playing each other really. Got Jarvis as my Vice, im tempted to give him the armband as well. Who you captaining?

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        1. Hate that rotation
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 6 months ago

          I got Odem/Dzeko as Cap which is also a risk. AVL with no heskey could mean Bent and Gabby goals. Thinking about it, if Nzog and Albrighton play then maybe.....

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  24. Ace Ventura
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    ON another note, Vorm or Begovic?

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    1. colin1201
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      at the moment i'll prob go for vorm

      vorm or given?

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      1. Ace Ventura
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Given

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  25. HST
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    All questions and no answers...demise.

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    1. Johnny Unitas
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Yes.

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      1. HST
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Damn you JU your answer ruined my narky theory.

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 6 months ago

          There are more questions than answers ... 🙂

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  26. Mansfield
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Musty have switched my captain 4-5 times this week.. and still not decided.
    Currently on Silva… I think

    How does this team look and do I have the right ones benched?
    Help please…

    Vorm (Al Habsi)
    R Taylor, De Laet, Kompany, (Gabbidon, Simpson)
    Silva, Young, Walcott, Jarvis
    Suarez, Dzeko, Rooney

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    1. everyday, i'm shufflin…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Should u possibly play Simpson instead of de laet?

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  27. rohan
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    ward with a 4 point hit.. yes or no???

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    1. Le Bluff
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Think more long-term, and to whether Ward will earn those 4 points back and more.

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      1. Captain Robert Hatch
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Will Ward be a regular in the line-up going forward?

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 6 months ago

          When you learn to eschew market-speak, I will answer your question ... 😉

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    2. samcro
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      What are the transfers?

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  28. sachmo
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Need a bit of help here - got a back 5 of Bosingwa, Jose Enrique, Simpson, De Laet and Taylor - who should I start?

    Leaning towards Bosingwa, Enrique and Simpson starting - what do people think of Swansea and Norwich's chances of clean sheets?

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  29. Captain Robert Hatch
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    So this Ward fella, barring injury will he play for say the next 4-6 GWs?

    Had R. Johnson all last year and recall the hair follicle goal, but think Ward has greater goal potential?

    Educate me.

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  30. thebizzle
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you captain?

    Baines / Van Persie / Rooney / Bent / Walcott

    ?

    Thanks

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    1. Le Bluff
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Baines. You're very much spoilt choice if you have those 5 in your team this weekend!

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      1. thebizzle
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks - yes I do... hoping to catch up a bit after a poor start

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    2. Captain Robert Hatch
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      not bent

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      1. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        any reason not bent?

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    3. Soapy
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Baines

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    4. Tommyboy
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      I've changed between Baines and Rooney 5 times today... Dying

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      1. Tommyboy
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Oh and I still have Torres... Further dying

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    5. TO
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      RVP

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