Dugout Discussion
26 February 2012 2162 comments
Akers Akers
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Three games wrap up Gameweek 26 today, before Liverpool and Cardiff square off at Wembley. The Dugout Discussion opens for the Premier League games, but will stay open until the Carling Cup is handed to the winning captain.

We start with the televised North London derby, as Harry’s Spurs look to reign supreme over their arch rivals. The Champions are also in action, making their trip to Carrow Road to face all-but-safe Norwich City. The team sheets from both games are in, and are as follows…

Arsenal XI: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Rosicky, Song, Walcott, Benayoun, van Persie.

Spurs XI: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar, Parker, Modric, Bale, Saha, Adebayor.

Yossi Benyaoun starts at the expense of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the home side, and Laurent Koscielny comes through a fitness test to play. As for the visitors, Louis Saha retains his starting role, which keeps Rafael Van der Vaart on the substitute bench. He partners Emmanuel Adebayor up front, who once again faces his former club.

Norwich XI: Ruddy, Naughton, Ward, Whitbread, Drury, Pilkington, Fox, Johnson, Surnam, Holt, Jackson.

Man United XI: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Welbeck, Hernandez.

For the Canaries, Simeon Jackson gets the nod ahead of Steve Morison, and Zak Whitbred is passed fit for the game. Looking to bounce back from midweek defeat, Sir Alex makes eight changes to his starting line-up. It includes Ryan Giggs, who makes his 900th club appearance today.

Before the final whistle blows in those games, Stoke host Swansea in the last game of the week. The Dugout Discussion is open, and can be accessed right here.

Akers Richard or Akers, as he is known, has been regularly haunting this site since July 2008. He is young and foolish, take what he says with a pinch of salt. Follow them on Twitter

  1. Gigging Order
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Here we go again...

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    1. Gigging Order
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      The people who try and come first really must not like me, I have had two this week and I am not even trying... Have never really understood it! Anyway, what is everyone hoping for today? Utd clean sheet and RVP and Bale goals??

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        What was the "Here we go again" in reference to?

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        1. udit
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          😆 I'm presuming PL matches.

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          1. Gigging Order
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            Indeedy

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        2. Gigging Order
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Another afternoon of likely disappointment

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      2. HappyAnkit
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        No United CS.

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      3. Menly
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        No clean sheets anywhere, no involvement from Siggy, Bale and RVP madness

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      4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Yep. And three for Pele! 😉

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      5. CatMac
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Utd CS will suit me fine, also a Stoke one, plus Bale to score loads and RVP to keep quiet as most of my ML rivals have him as (c)

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      6. CABAYE4
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        United to draw 1-1, Bale to score a double, Stoke Swansea to be 0-0 and most importantly, RVP to do nothing!

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        1. CatMac
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          I'll take that 🙂

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          1. Tommytour
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            United Win, Arsenal goal, Stoke goal and cleanie!

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        2. udit
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          is exactly what I don't want apart from the Bale part.

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      7. udit
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        No CS , hope all of them are soiled.

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  2. Declan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Cmon you gunners!

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    1. Canadian Football
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      United CS
      Stoke v Swa 0-0 with and a Peno Save from Sorenson.

      Too much to ask for?

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  3. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Go RVP & Bale.

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  4. McDog
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Come on you Spurs!

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  5. Menly
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Hope the Arsenal fans don't get too crazy... some of those chants about Ade are well out of order.
    Should he a good game though

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Euuurgggh - not them too? ðŸ™

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      1. Menly
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah. Things about the Togo Bus thing. Disgusting...

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Gordon Bennet. 😡

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  6. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    COYS!
    COAFC!
    COYRD!

    ... and selected players! 🙂

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    1. Menly
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Literally only just got what any of those meant 😳

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        *giggles*

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  7. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Spurs have a wonderful impact player on the bench in the shape of Van der Vaart, who has made a habit of scoring against the Gunners.

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    1. Barnsley FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Copy paste from Soccernet?

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      1. HappyAnkit
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Yes

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    2. MrJefferson
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      arsenal have the ox on the bench

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  8. Declan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Norwich 1-3 Utd

    Arsenal 1-2 Spurs

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    1. udit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      You're an Arsenal supporter 😯 , and a realist I see 😉

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      1. Declan
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        obviously I hope we win, but don't see it tbh.

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    2. Top Heavy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      optimistic arsenal fan i see

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      1. Declan
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        right we are going to win 10-1 😉

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        1. Top Heavy
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          thats more like it 😉 2-2 might be more realistic tho 😛

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    3. Goonther
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      2-1 arsenal to UPSET spurs....have faith man we need ya...RVP 4 life

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      1. CABAYE4
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        You mean until the summer when he leaves...

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  9. COMH
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Is anyone considering getting Luiz, Myachi, Morrison or Odemwingie?

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    1. udit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Nope, maybe, nope, nope

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I'd like to have Odem out of all those. 3 striker spots just isn't enough though. ðŸ™
      I'm not getting fooled by Luiz.

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        +42. 🙂

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      2. udit
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Fixtures??

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    3. Top Heavy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      All of the above 😉

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    4. Jukesy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Will be looking at Miyachi, possibly for McClean, in a few weeks time.

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      1. Menly
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        +1

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  10. Screaming Midget
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    I have to say I'm chuffed at not seeing Rooney.

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    1. halnone
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      +69

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    2. Menly
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Same

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    3. Screaming Midget
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      27.9% own him. That's a bit of an ouch but he'll be protected I think once it's removed so he may not drop in price.

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    4. THE SQUARE ONE
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Same here, thought SAF was playing mind games :S

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    5. Top Heavy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      As a united fine i can safely say, Im not ðŸ™

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  11. MrJefferson
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    nor 1 utd 3
    ars 1 spurs 2
    2 away wins on the cards

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    1. udit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      You can bet united, tottenham and swansea to win at 14/1

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      1. MrJefferson
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        utd-1, pool-1 and spurs for the same price

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        1. udit
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Ah. Tasty. But I have no idea what -1 means.

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          1. MrJefferson
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            they are -1 goal, ie they have to win by 2 goals

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            1. udit
              • 15 Years
              13 years, 11 months ago

              Ah, could you tell me my good man, what are handicaps? I'm a betting noob.

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              1. MrJefferson
                • 14 Years
                13 years, 11 months ago

                exactly what i said above!! I'l give you another piece of advice, stay a betting noob, healthier on the bank balance!!!

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  12. Bow Locks
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Just backed Arsenal HT-FT @ 10-3.

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  13. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    The sign says we dont need batman, we've got robin, had to laugh as not for long

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  14. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Stoke 0-0 Swansea
    United 2-0 Norwich (Nani x2)
    Arsenal 1-0 Spurs (RVP)

    In Dreamland to much â“

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      If this happens you will deserve to win our match

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    2. udit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Nah, all of those are exceedingly likely to happen 😉

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  15. Viper
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    I'm going to say 2-1 arsenal, RVP brace, Adebayor with the spurs goal..

    Norwich 0-2 Man U, Giggs & Hernandez..

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    1. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      These are good predictions imo.

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  16. halnone
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Arse 3-2
    Norwich 2-0

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      nice.

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    2. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      +7

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      1. udit
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        -8 😉

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        1. HappyAnkit
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          -70

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          1. udit
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            Oh dear, do you really want to start something like that? - 71.

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            1. HappyAnkit
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 11 months ago

              You continue with 8.

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              1. udit
                • 15 Years
                13 years, 11 months ago

                Why?

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                1. HappyAnkit
                  • 14 Years
                  13 years, 11 months ago

                  Because I will continue with 7. 😛

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                  1. udit
                    • 15 Years
                    13 years, 11 months ago

                    Doesn't matter.

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    3. Top Heavy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      then you woke up

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  17. MrJefferson
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    spurs, utd -1 and pool-1 treble pays about 14/1, worth a 10 spot

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I only got Sixes but still took the bet

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  18. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Is Jevans playing for Manure? (assume he is)

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    1. MrJefferson
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      yes

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      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers

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    2. udit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      No, he's playing for money, LT. He's not a farmer is he?

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    3. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Read the article you lazy f*cker! 😈

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      1. udit
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        😀

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      2. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Bit harsh that!. You're correct I should have referred to the above, but there is no place on here for attitude like that. Bad hangover is it?

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  19. Declan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Spurs - Top london club, how many premier leagues?

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    1. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Spurs - big game bottlers.

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Be careful - this used to be the Liverpool argument ... 😉

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      1. Declan
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Liverpool have never won a premier league though 😉

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      2. Spike âš½ï¸
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Hi Doosra. It looks like all your team's injuries recovered in good time then !!

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Yep. Yep! Yesss!!! 😀

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    3. Top Heavy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Man Utd- Top Manchester club, how many titles 😛

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      1. Declan
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        indeed.

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  20. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Facts -
    Arsenal are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 home matches in Premier League, whilst Tottenham have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

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  21. CatMac
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Husband has just bet on Cardiff to win 2-1 at 25-1 😯 Fingers crossed now!

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    1. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Good luck to your hubbie!

      There is a reason it is 25-1 though. ðŸ™

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      1. CatMac
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        I know 😉

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          I have bet on Peter Whittingham at 13/2 ...

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    2. udit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Well, Good luck to him, I'm hoping for the same result, even though I don't have money at stake.

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    3. Bad Pen
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Probably similar odds to what Brum would have had last year and we all know what happened there.

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      1. udit
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, Koscielny and Chesney. How things change eh? Now all the Arsenal fans are singing Koscielny's name.

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        1. Bad Pen
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Haha indeed, how standards have slipped in the last year.

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    4. Menly
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Wow good luck to him. My wife would kill me if I did that!

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      1. Menly
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Actually what the hell am I talking about! Cmon Liverpool!

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  22. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Come on Evans - a CS and another 3bps would do nicely!

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      -72

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      1. udit
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        +1

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    2. Shipstontrev
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      +1

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    3. Menly
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Benched him and Kelly for Taiwo, so no thanks!

      Ps still love Taiwo, but he is a terrible fantasy prospect!

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  23. Manani
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    hope rvp do nothing, really don't mind what bale do tbh, since literally everyone have him in my ML

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  24. BootlegRascal
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    derbyderbyderbyderbyderDERBYDERBYSDERBYSDBEYBEYDBYEBDYERBF

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  25. Le Gooner
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone think Mike Dean is going to brandish an early red card in the derby?

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    1. Bad Pen
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I hope not, it'd spoil the game as a contest.

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  26. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    C'mon Evans. Cleanie and a goal.

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      After two GWs. 😉

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  27. Arse Craic
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Mike Dean...oh no.

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  28. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Can't believe theres no Page 3 in the Sun today. Nice football spread though...

    Theres a joke in there somewhere

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    1. Shipstontrev
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      There really isn't 😉

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  29. Spike âš½ï¸
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Do we forsee a red card or two today from Mr Dean !!

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Hope not.

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    2. Shipstontrev
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Red card no, but maybe a penalty.

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  30. Declan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    dear lord.....

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