[sbu_large_image] Preamble
5 May 2012 1123 comments
Mark Mark
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Just for once, I’m going to indulge myself this morning. Much as I’ve tried to find some contentious issues amongst the team sheets, I’ve struggled to surface any real worries to haunt us going into the 11.30 deadline.

There are few questions left unanswered – yes you probably need Wayne Rooney or Robin Van Persie, maybe both. While neither myself, or the good men of the press, feel that Jonny Evans will be fit to start on Sunday. Unless there was mind games at play. Unless Sir Alex now has his young centre-back down as a crucial joker in the pack, a trump card to be played close to his chest. As Ferguson said, “unlikely”.

The only real conundrum in front of the United boss, and us Fantasy managers, concerns the United wingers (again). Having dumped Antonio Valencia at the Etihad, what route does Ferguson take for the must-win at home to Swansea?

Across the press it seems a given that Valenica will make a return. Only the Guardian keep the Ecuadorian on the timber, starting with a Nani/Ashley Young combination on their flanks. Intriguingly, they’re the only paper to offer Nani hope of a start: the rest opt for Young in tandem with Valencia. Personally, I feel Nani’s goal power gives him the edge other both his rivals: United need to win and Nani is their most direct player, offering the bigger goal threat of the three from out wide.

So there you go then. We can sit back and let the deadline pass and get ready to settle down for the season showpiece. No really.

I’m pretty sure that FA Cup final day used to rival Christmas in our house. The BBC made a grand meal of it and I lapped it up like a deprived moggy. Live football was novelty enough, but this was a whole day of build up, including a Cup Final Question of Sport and a camera on the team bus watching Steve Foster playing cards with Jimmy Case. Blissful times.

Nowadays we’ll probably get Jamie Redknapp in a cling film grey suit and a load of jazzy graphics played over the XX. It doesn’t feel the same.

Of course, the magic has gone because I’ve been spoiled. I’ve got live football coming out of my Sky Plus sponsored ears. I don’t need a spy-cam in the team buss, I can go on Twitter if I want to peer into the unmagnificent lives of the modern footballer. Ten minutes of that and I miss Steve Foster’s headband that little bit more.

Don’t get me wrong, I really hope the Wembley final is a spectacle. It just feels sad that, as a neutral, the overexposure has killed the thrill of what used to be a grand event. The same thing happens if you watch too much porn. Apparently.

There’s more live football on the schedule next season. That’s all good; they can keep pushing Jamie Redknapp’s inappropriate trousers our way. Thankfully, we’ve got Fantasy Football to liven things up.

Enjoy the Gameweek.

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

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

    Anyone else think that Blackburn vs Wigan will be a goalfest?

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    1. Thatsnotcricket
        14 years, 1 month ago

        2-1 to Blackburn maybe.

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      • Caine & Co.
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        0-0

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      • Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        1-8 Moses 8 goals.

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        1. Wilfried Bony M
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Moses captain by any chance?

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          1. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Nope, Rooney 😉

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      • Ramseys Rovers
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        2-2

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

      Blimey - it is almost like a rebirth, this week!!! 😉

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      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Doos, seriously is that your team linked? Expected a better overall ranking from you daddy 🙁

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

          I keep telling you I am a crap player ... 😉

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          1. Davido989
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Oh, that's Everton for you .. 😉

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      2. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Soon be summer Doosra, ten hour pages. 😉

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

          Yep - true! 😆

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    3. markieffm
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      done 1 transfer.

      Cisse to RVP leaving me with RVP(c) Jelly Aguero

      I think thats ok.. Was thinking of doing a -4 but I have gone against it as I have only a 25 point lead over my rival

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    4. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Ding, Ding, Ding. Seconds away! Round 37.

      Maintaining your ML lead or playing your penultimate hand of catch-up, Good luck to all here.

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    5. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Let's do this.

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

        +42!!! 😀

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    6. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Bodgan
      Terry, Verm, Hibbert, Walker
      Dempsey, Fellaini, VDV
      Cisse, Jelly, Rooney(C)

      Cech - Barfa, Siggy, Evans

      FREE TRANSFER AVAILABLE
      CISSE OUT - RVP IN

      YES OR NO

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Yes.

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        1. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Just noticed i did not have enough funds...

          Too late BTW 🙁

          Lets see what happens

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    7. A.
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Last minute hit, Suarez to Jelly? 😉

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

        Y

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      2. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, do it right now.

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

          hi i'm epicfail and i use the same joke every week

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          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Do you?

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      3. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        NO. Suarez is AMAZING 😉

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        1. Spike ⚽️
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          He'll be tired GF !!

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          1. Davido989
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            He's a machine dude! One of the very few footballers that would play 3 games a week if it were up to him!

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            1. Spike ⚽️
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Not after that energy sapping Wembley turf he wont 😉

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    8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      that's it

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    9. Declan
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Good Luck Lads

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    10. kev90787
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Updating ......

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    11. Pablitto
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      omg ...

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

        left BALE over HBA on the pitch ...

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          What's wrong with that?

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          1. Tin of Directors
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            I'm struggling to work out why HBA on the bench and Bale on the pitch is an issue as well.

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        2. Tin of Directors
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Bale on your bench??

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

            BALE playing .... or will he do better than ARFA you think?

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            1. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
              • 15 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Lol bale should be playing ahead of barfa for sure.

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        3. unoaime
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Uhh, that's good?

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      2. Thatsnotcricket
          14 years, 1 month ago

          I've a slender lead in my mini league just captained Rooney, hope it works out, could close it out this weekend.

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      3. Spike ⚽️
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Good luck everyone

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      4. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        NOOOOOO

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        1. kev90787
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Yesssss

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      5. Pap Le Cissier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Just done an 8 pt hit to bring in RVP. Felt right at the time.....

        Could my streak of green arrows be at an end??

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        1. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          No chance

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          1. Pap Le Cissier
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Haha, hope not!

            I'm looking for a 15th straight week!

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      6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        cant wait to see rival teams lol.....i need to get out more

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        1. Tin of Directors
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Don't beat yourself up. Almost the best part of my day that is!

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      7. The EJJ
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Anyone else captain Dempsey? Or am I just a fool? 😛

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

          Vc for me

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        2. kev90787
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          U will know the answer urself after the match! 😛

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

          No - you are not a fool. However, your head is a bit exposed above that parapet ... 😉

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

          Certainly not a fool. Fools sell Bale for Nani... 🙂

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

            Sure will Kev!

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

        deadline has passed guys!!

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

        " i think the mantelpiece of captaincy will suit wayne rooney " rio ferdinand
        sorry rio i've gone rvp !

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      10. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        You around Hot Tip?

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      11. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Boom.......

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

        Lost on last page, Chasing a 30 point lead in my ML:

        ME -

        Szczesny
        Verm - Terry - JEvans
        Nani - VDV - Moses - Dempsey
        Jelly - VP (C) - Hernanandez (Vc)

        Subs: Vorm - Siggy - Huth - Caulker

        HIM -

        Bogdan
        Wheater - Walker - Kelly
        VDV - Bale - Moses - Dempsey
        RvP (C) - Cisse - Jelly

        Subs: Verm - Allen - Bardsley

        Really want to win this ML, any ideas please? & who wins this week?

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      13. Water_Pink
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        all this hype about moses better be worth it!

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        1. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Didn't bring him in for Barfa
          Would have meant benching Cisse

          Gud Luck anyway

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

            got rid of bale for him.

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

          he'll get a good score, between 8 and 12 i think

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          1. Caine & Co.
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            PPI maybe

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          2. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            PLZ NO

            Opponent most probably got him in 🙁

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            1. Tin of Directors
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              I'm convinced rivals brought him in.

              I did so not bothered.

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        3. Caine & Co.
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          it will be not

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        4. QPR expects... glory!
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          I ignored the hype and went for Maloney instead! Now watch Wigan draw a total blank...

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      14. Screaming Midget
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Did Evans > Walker in the end.

        Sticking with Cisse Aguero Rooney upfront... mainly because I'm 14 points behind first and he has RVP/Jellyfish so need the 2 differentials.

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        1. Captain Shirokov
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Cisse Tevez RVP here.

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      15. Crouch Potato!
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Think I'll sort my team out now.

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

          *giggles*

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          1. Crouch Potato!
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            How life? Ready for the final push?

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

              Good. Yep! You? 🙂

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              1. Crouch Potato!
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                Simple stuff, 350 pts in final gws should do it!

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      16. unoaime
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        I swapped Robinson to start ahead of Cech last minute. 🙂

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

          Sensible.......ish

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      17. Demí
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Its the final countdown....

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        1. Crouch Potato!
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Who sang that?

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          1. Open Controls
            1. Crouch Potato!
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Terrible name.

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

            Europe

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          3. Thatsnotcricket
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Europe

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

          Sold Torres for RVP there goes my differential
          My front 8 must have 30% ownership now? 🙁

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          1. kev90787
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            RVP, Rooney, Aguero????

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

              Cisse not Rooney

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

          After a huge week last week I need to make it stick this week. 12pt hit for Rooney, RVP (C) & Vermaelen (cover). Fingers crossed now....

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        4. Davido989
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          RVP, you have rarely let me down. I'm the only one out of my rivals who has you and as captain, I think. So please, just bag a hatrick for your good old friend Gervinho; i'll assist you if you need 🙂

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          1. Call Me Old Fashioned
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            +1

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

            He's got to come good today. It was touch and go between him and Rooney though.

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