[sbu_large_image] Preamble
21 January 2012 1604 comments
Mark Mark
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Let’s walk and talk. You can spare a few minutes – what I’ve got for you might just be of interest. This morning’s stroll to calm the nerves before the boys cross the white line, takes in two specific team-sheet concerns – those at Chelsea and United. In particular, let’s chat about the chances of Fantasy favourite Daniel Sturridge turning in some profit in today’s early encounter.

The clash between Norwich and Chelsea looks a fine introduction to our weekend football. Sunday is the big day of course, but we’ll gladly accept the Carrow Road clash as a lip-smacking amuse-bouche before Sunday’s bloated feast. The thing is, however, we could do with Daniel Sturridge turning up this afternoon to add a few flourishes to the affair.

The Chelsea striker goes into the game as the club’s joint leading scorer in the league and with over 15% ownership in the Fantasy Premier League game. Surfing a recent price rise, there’s expectation on a Sturridge return – some immediate profit against a Norwich defence who have failed to keep a shut-out all season. The scene is set then, although Sturridge’s start is far from assured.

A hip injury sidelined him for the Gameweek 20 trip to Wolves, only for him to return a week later for the win over Sunderland. However, Andre Villas-Boas left him unused on the bench and now there’s real concern that we could see him shuffling on the timber at Norwich.

As usual, we’ve looked to our friends at the football press for some guidance here, surveying their predicted lineups for some wisdom on the matter.

It’s got to be said, the early outlook wasn’t great, with The Telegraph, The Times and The Guardian all sticking with the same attack that brought the three points against the Black Cats. Ramires stays on the right of Fernando Torres here, with Juan Mata patrolling the left flank. The midfield consists of Oriol Romeu, Raul Meireles and Frank Lampard.

Only The Sun and The Independent agree with our view that Sturridge will come back in on the right-flank, with Ramires shifting deeper and Romeu dropping out. A split decision then, with the heavyweights backing Villas-Boas to keep the status quo.

We’re not so sure – we’re backing a return for Sturridge simply because we feel Chelsea have to go to Norwich and find goals. They have both Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill as defensive reinforcements, so the need for caution can be abandoned for the quest for goals. Sturridge, as leading scorer, surely merits his selection.

The other point for debate this morning rests with the United back four for their trip to the Emirates. Not surprisingly, with Phil Jones versatility and Rio Ferdinand’s wavering fitness, we’re treated to a whole array of configurations that see Jones in and out of the midfield and at centre-back.

There’s no real consensus here – we’ve gone for Chris Smalling to return at right-back for Rafael and Jones to shift into midfield, leaving Ferdinand and Johnny Evans to look after Robin Van Persie.

The Times agree with us, although The Telegraph have no place for Evans in their lineup, with Smalling partnering Ferdinand at the back and Jones in midfield. The Guardian also omit Evans, but also leave Smalling out, with Rafael claiming the right-back spot and Jones alongside Ferdinand. The Independent are another who leave Evans out of the equation.

To be honest, it’s a mess of options. We’re sticking by Evans at centre-back however – he returned last weekend and United kept their fourth consecutive clean sheet with him in the side. They conceded six in the two games without him in between that spell. Like it or not, the statistics and logic point to Evans being in favour and that will likely see Jones in midfield.

I’ll leave you with this little nugget – we’ve been talking all week how we expect Sir Alex Ferguson to shift to a 4-3-3/4-5-1 with wingers either side of Rooney as a lone striker; we’ve also put the idea of Ji-Sung Park earning a start. The Telegraph have gone with this – they’re backing Park to start, with no place for Antonio Valencia. Cat and Pigeons.

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

  1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    ahhh my team is all set up for GW23 now. Bale captain? πŸ˜€

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    1. Doctor X
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I just did the same πŸ˜›

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    2. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Him or RVP, for sure.

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    3. Waldaz
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      0-1, Moses with the goal.

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      1. Pilko's Pump Pants
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        you forgot to add the following - 0-1, Moses with the (first) goal.... before the Spuds score 6... hat-trick for Bale...2 for DVD & even 1 for Ade...

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    4. McDog
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      RVP for me.

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    5. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      my team looks gooooood

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  2. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Come on Studge! Didn't captain him but I'm looking forward to some goals again.

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  3. PL Ball
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Is there any specific way or method to play a wildcard?

    #FirstTimeWildCarder

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    1. Jonah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      You confirm it when you;re confirming the transfers.

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  4. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    its great to see so many different captains in my leagues..mostly sess/walters/studge/rvp

    seems like im in the minority going for roo

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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero for me, first time this season as well so hoping he can continue his consistent home form

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      1. The Finnisher
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        +1
        Thought he was the 'safe' option this week..

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        1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah same. The fact he's scored or assisted in practically every home game made the decision a relatively simple one. RVP was the only other real contender

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          1. The Finnisher
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Considered Sturridge but didn't want the weekend to start like shit with him benched ha.

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          2. Optimus.
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            bet he does nothing this gw with dzeko stealing goal/assists πŸ™‚

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            1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              I'll take that bet. Shall we say 50 FPL points?

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              1. Optimus.
                • 15 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                lol

                i dont have him nor does any in my mininleagues so he wont hurt me but be warned

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      2. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        i dont have him untill i w/c but i wish you well

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  5. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Mini league rival has captain raylor!

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Massive Point Haul Then!!!!!!!!

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    2. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Other mini league rival has captained Bale!

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    3. Blando
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      So did one of my MLRs, maverick.

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  6. Fabreghastly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    My main rivals in my two leagues and the H2H opponent all drafted in Torres this week just like me. The H2H guy is captaining him like me too. Sooooo, that idea didn't work then which leaves me relying on Everton to gain some points on them. Hmmmmm! Go Baines & Drenthe πŸ™‚

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  7. Nicti
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Top player in FPL has Crouch Captain.

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    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I brought Crouch in. Didn't have the cajones to captain him though.

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    2. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Crouch scores goals but few seem to notice it

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    3. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I noticed that, he actually did Studge->Crouch this morning and then captained him.

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      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Sturridge to Crouch? Wow. Does he know something we don't? Obviously if he's number 1...

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      2. Sleep Talk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        However, even more baffled by no. 3 who did Adebayor -> Carroll (!) and captained him. :O

        But I guess moves like that are why these people are on top and we are not..

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        1. Pilko's Pump Pants
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          probably also why not many people manage to stay top for more than a week... at that level you cant afford the play safe when everyone around you is taking massive punts every week...

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    4. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I also did Sturridge to Croucha πŸ˜€

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  8. footyjuana
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Dont know if its good or bad, but got too late for the final 2 transfers of my WC:( Planned to do:-

    Enrique, Sturridge-->Bardsley, Torres

    Team now is:-

    Mignolet
    Lescott Senderos Enrique
    Silva Nani Walters Sess
    Aguero Zamora Sturridge

    Bench : Krul Bale Kelly Simpson

    Maybe it was for the good, specially seeing Sturridge starting:)

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  9. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Cech; Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Meireles, Lampard; Sturridge, Torres, Mata

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      U R Too Late.

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      1. For Fuchs Sake
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Just sharing the love man! πŸ™‚

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  10. Steviegrey
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Did a last minute change to my wildcard, mata larsson and shotton out for Gerrard McClean and Huth.
    Good or Bad move???

    Anyone else get on Gerrard??

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    1. James
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I think an alright move. Depends if mcclean or larsson return more.

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    2. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I have Gerrard and captained him.

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  11. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Little Jafa has (C) Valencia. What a week for the Jafa family.

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  12. Congressman
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Cahill not even on Chelsea bench. LOL

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    1. msimms89
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Puzzled as to why people got him he's a poor player in a poor Chelsea defence who wasn't even certain to start.

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      1. Congressman
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Lots of knee jerkers brought him in with their wildcards. They just don't have the patience to wait until he becomes a nailed on starter. Watch his transfers out from these same knee jerkers on FISO tonight.

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  13. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Norwich team v Chelsea: Ruddy, Martin, Johnson, Morison, Whitbread, Holt, Surman, Pilkington, Fox, Naughton, Ayala

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    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks.

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  14. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    In for a poor GW. 6 out of the first Xi of scout picks are in my team :/

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    1. Captain Berbarossa - arrrrr…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I have 7 of the starting 11 and 9 in total, so I'm very worried πŸ˜‰

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  15. Hazard267
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Ive benched ben arfa instead of r taylor i think it was a good idea i mean r taylor is set to play mid again what do you guys think

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    1. Steviegrey
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      good call, ben arfa has let me down big time. Got rid of him this week after having him for last 4 or 5,
      wont look at him again untill he's starting full time

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  16. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    The FPL site looks like an awful html site atm. The design is all fuked up.. Anyone else have this problem?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      nope fine for me

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    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Nobody? It's the same on both on my computer and my phone!

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  17. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    ahhhh the look of a fresh of a WC team right out of the package.

    still has that new car smell.

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    1. Bad Seed
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      until you realise the mileage has been fiddled and there are bodies in the boot

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  18. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Why does scout tweet say Cahill's on the bench? I thought he didnt make the team at all this week?

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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      lol no idea

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  19. FORCA INTER
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    mini league rival has Ruddy as C

    LMAO!!!!

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    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      ruddy good for you

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    2. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      link?

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    3. Lincos
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      be spewing if he saved a penalty.. wouldn't be too cocky

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    4. pukey
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA

      AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH

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  20. Silva is Gold.
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Me: Mignolet, Gabbidon, Shotton, Kelly, Sess, Torres (c) RVP Bench: Mclean, Simpson, Caulker

    Opponent: Vorm, Naylor, Raylor Shawcross, Dyer, Fletcher RVP (c) Bench: Simpson BAE Reo Coker

    Who will take it? both have Silva Bale and Nani and Aguero

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      think you have the edge but think it will come down to captains

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  21. ManchesterIsRed
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    My rival has captained walters.

    Should I be worried?

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    1. Elwood
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, who is your captain.

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      1. ManchesterIsRed
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Sergio

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    2. GunsnRoses
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Walters at home ... beast . Can unleash anytime πŸ‘Ώ

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      1. Jax
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        west brom to win 1-0

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    3. Matt_Baron
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      No he'll score an own goal in the first 10 minutes and will be mocked by a west brom player. He will subsequently slap the player and receive a straight red card.

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  22. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    my cup oppo has jsut wildcarded and has Carrol (C)!

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/952003/event-history/22/

    big diffo

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      hat trick

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  23. bring_on _the_fantasy
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    ah wish i C sturridge now, don't know why I doubted he would play. AVB finally seen sence. Don't rate him as a manager at all. I know he has won things abroad. Upsets players tho, far too pig headed

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  24. villian-ty
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    2 FT for next gw. O dear.
    Vorm (Krul)
    Evans Brown Senderous BAE (Simpson)
    Silva Bale Nani (Walters Moses)
    RVP Sturridge Rooney

    0.1 in bank. STUCK is the word. Still have Jan WC to play

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  25. samcro
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Can we still use the free wildcard after next game weeks or is this the last week?

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    1. msimms89
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      You can use it up till the 4th Feb I think.

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  26. disparate dan - a reasonabl…
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    warnock on FF

    should be interesting

    axe/grind

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    1. Hotrod
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I wonder what he'll say about Barton, interesting

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  27. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    LOL just saw my opponent in my ML this week

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/130415/event-history/22/

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I sure you you dont lose! πŸ˜›

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      1. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        stutter much πŸ™‚

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        1. Bøwstring The Carp
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Knowing my luck he'll still win πŸ˜€

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    2. Shteve
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      You have Bale on the bench and are playing Moses? Strange!

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      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Yea for some reason i dont think bale will do much against City rather take my chances with Moses. Some may call me crazy, i prefer "unique" πŸ˜€

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        1. Shteve
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Certainly unique, but you could well be right πŸ™‚

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  28. Egg noodle
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Third in the world has Carroll Captain. Waheyyyyyyyy

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    1. Elwood
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Makes one think what does he know.
      There must be a reason he's third.

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      1. samcro
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Luck?

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      2. GunsnRoses
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Liverpool vs Bolton is the reason I think.

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      3. The Finnisher
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        See where he is come the end of the season though.

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    2. AP
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      What a hero.

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  29. Elwood
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    1215: BREAKING CHELSEA TEAM NEWS New Blues signing Gary Cahill is not even on the bench at Carrow Road. Daniel Sturridge starts up front. Full line-ups with you in a tick.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9683043.stm

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    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      cheers but an hour too late

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      breaking news: England have won the 1966 world cup πŸ˜›

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

        and the world is not flat

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        1. Bøwstring The Carp
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          The universe is also expanding.

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  30. WOLVERiNES
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Rvp
    Bale
    Mata
    Sturridge
    Dempsey
    Rooney

    6 different captains in my 7 man ML... And i have 3-4 of those players.. :S

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    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I have 2 silva(c) in my top 5

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    2. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      ive 5 of them could have got dempsey to make it 6 but didnt fancy his 2 points

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    3. Silva is Gold.
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Best
      RVP
      Torres
      RVP
      Bale
      Aguero
      Bellamy

      In my 7 man mini League, I'm Torres.

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