634x258 Euro 2012
16 June 2012 4170 comments
Paul Paul
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Danny Welbeck’s sublime back-heel hands England victory and sends Sweden crashing out of Euro 2012. Andy Carroll and Theo Walcott also pick up the plaudits in the five-goal thriller while, in the storm-delayed earlier kick-off, France see off tournament co-hosts Ukraine 2-0, with Karim Benzema setting up both goals for Les Bleus:

France 2 Ukraine 0
Laurent Blanc made two changes from the side that drew against England for last night’s game, with Jeremy Menez and Gael Clichy replacing Florent Malouda and Patrice Evra respectively. The alteration up front allowed France to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Samir Nasri behind Karim Benzema and Menez on the right. Benzema provided the assists for both goals, with Menez notching the opener – the latter’s classification as a forward in the McDonald’s game may cause many Fantasy managers to overlook him, however, despite his 7.4 price tag. Benzema looks the forward of choice but Menez clearly offers a differential option if he can maintain his place in Blanc’s starting XI, with a mere 0.2% ownership.

Benzema has three shots and provided a trio of goalscoring chances, though Nasri and Franck Ribery were rather disappointing in the change of system. Both had just a shot apiece, though the Bayern man was the better creator, laying on four opportunities to find the net for his team mates. Alou Diarra’s role in the double pivot looks under threat after Yann M’Vila returned to action midway through the second half. The latter is a firm favourite of Blanc’s and, with Yohan Cabaye grabbing a goal and hitting the post, the Newcastle man’s starting role also looks assured.

The French now need just a point in their final game against Sweden to progress – indeed, as this handy guide indicates, the only way they can be eliminated is if Ukraine beat England and France lose to the Swedes by a margin that would make their goal difference inferior to that of Roy Hodgson’s side.

The tournament co-hosts fielded the same starting XI that defeated Sweden 2-1 in their opener on Monday evening. Once again, Yevhen Konoplyanka had more attempts than any team mate – after producing five shots against the Swedes, he fired three efforts last night, though has failed to muster a single attempt on target. Andriy Voronin was hauled off at half-time, allowing Marko Devic to line up alongside Andriy Shevchenko up front but Ukraine’s failure to find the net meant that France were one of only two sides – along with Spain – to return a clean sheet for their Fantasy owners in Matchday Two. Given that they now need to beat England to qualify, yesterday’s lack of goal power is a real worry for Oleg Blokhin and he may well consider ringing the changes for Tuesday’s crucial encounter.

England 3 Sweden 2
Roy Hodgson make just one change to the XI that started against France, with Andy Carroll coming in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The move saw Ashley Young shift out left, with the Liverpool man partnering Danny Welbeck up top – both forwards grabbed a goal apiece in the 3-2 win and, with Wayne Rooney’s suspension now served, the England manager has a selection headache ahead of the final group game against Ukraine. Rooney will surely play and, with a mere 1% ownership, looks a strong differential captaincy choice for the showdown, leaving Carroll and Welbeck to likely battle it out for the other slot.

Theo Walcott’s goal and assist contribution from the bench also makes him one to consider and perhaps places question marks against James Milner’s place on the right flank. Coming in at just 7.9 in the McDonald’s game, the Arsenal man made a more than persuasive case for his first-team inclusion next time round. Steven Gerrard once again picked up the points – the Liverpool skipper has now returned an assist in back-to-back games after Carroll nodded home his cross for the opener.

Erik Hamren made three changes from the side that slumped to defeat against Ukraine in the opener. Johan Elmander started in the lone forward role last night, with Markus Rosenberg dropping to the bench, Jonas Olsson came in at centre-half, which allowed Andreas Granqvist to move to right-back and, in midfield, Anders Svensson was given a start in the centre, with Rasmus Elm moving to the left and Ola Toivonen dropping out.

Olof Mellberg’s goal and assist helped the 5.0 priced centre half to a 10 point haul, while Seb Larsson’s owners picked up a five point return after the Sunderland man provided an assist for Mellberg’s goal. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had six efforts against Hodgson’s side but failed to find the net last night as his side were stunned by a Walcott-inspired comeback. With 22.7% ownership and a game against France up next before he boards the flight home, the Milan man is the most susceptible of Hamren’s men to a price drop over the next day or so, bearing in mind that knockout stage wildcards are available once the final couple of Group A games kick off at 7.30pm tomorrow.

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  1. Menly
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Mid for 5m?

    Polanski, Perisic, Hubschmann?

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    1. Boz
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Pilar

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Perisic, Kolar.

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      1. bolekjaworski
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        Polanski

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  2. yash
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Fortounis and Maggio to Barzagli and Kolar worth a hit.(1m in bank)

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  3. BONZ
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Czech XI: Cech; Selassie, Sivok, Kadlec, Limbersky; Plasil, Hubschman; Jiracek, Kolar, Pilar; Baros.

    No Risicky - they could be beaten by Poles as these were poor when Thomas went off v Greece

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    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, they were poor.. I'm starting to doubt with Pilar.

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  4. Always (C)ane
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Young Iniesta Pilar Shirokov Obraniak
    Cassano CR7 Benzema

    worth it to do 3pt hit for Young + CR7 -> Dzagoev + Rooney ?
    or any advice to use my FT ??

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  5. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Im off!

    Good luck!

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  6. @banterburyH2H
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    so is there any chance rosicky will play any part tonight ?

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    1. Demí
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      No he's not on the bench.

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      1. yash
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        Will Maggio play? plz help Demi

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  7. pol
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    chalkias > tyton worth 3 pt hit???!!

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    1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      No.

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    2. jayzico
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      def not!

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  8. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Getting footy withdrawal pains...... 🙂

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  9. jayzico
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    sorry, bizarre randum non football question...

    on facebook i have 603 friends (whoopy doo. dont mean anything by it). but it's just gone up to 818??? i aint even added anyone. anyone else had flaws like this?

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

      Listen, JayZico - where is my reply??? 🙂

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    2. Ivor
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Yep, although mine went up by a meagre 15 or so.

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    3. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      One of my friends had her friends requests sent out to 500 random people. Maybe its some virus or smthn 😀

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    4. Pratik
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Must be some app that you recently used. It send a friend invitation to a lot of other people and 215 of them accepted.

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  10. Hazard267
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    So guys im gonna keep cabaye as i think hell start but still not sure about maggio

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  11. wazza10
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Who to captain, Lewandowski or Dzagoev?

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    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Dzagoev. Poland don't have much going forward and fact greece have to win should open up gaps at the back.

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    2. Touré De Force
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Lew, since this must be the biggest night in the mans career. In front of a partisan crowd, it's written in the stars, this is his chance to etch his name in the annals of Polish footballing history.

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    3. Bungalow Bill
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Dzagoev, he's a mid so goals are worth more plus Greek defense is awful

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  12. maff
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    anyone concerned that with dzagoev on a yellow he might get subbed earlyish if russia are say 1 up at HT?

    slightly tempted to go with shirokov or pilar as (c) today instead

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    1. TheProfesssor
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      I think yellows reset after group stages

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      1. maff
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        if you have one it gets wiped out. if he got booked today he'd miss the QF so they might protect him a bit as he's such an important player

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

    Rumours was a great, great album ... 😀

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnbnmoDm1R0&feature=related

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Indeed it was Doos, some great tunes on that.

      Will get that thing bookmarked.

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  14. Demí
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Deadline up 38 minutes right? Just checking

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    1. Demí
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      *in

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    2. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah 7.30pm GMT

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      1. Demí
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        Ta

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    3. @banterburyH2H
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      gambino do u think rosicky will play any part ?

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  15. COMH
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Daniel are you just gonna switch Bonucci > Barzagli and leave Iniesta and Young in?

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Those are option a and option B. Don't have a clue

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  16. Sess!
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Lescott or Debuchy? Still tinkering my WC even though I should probably just leave it.

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    1. XVIVX
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      wondering the same thing..

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      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        I think lescott makes more sense on paper but can see sweden just going through the motions and a CS for France. Ukraine have to attack even though they haven't got much going forward.

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    2. jez_wright
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      both?

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  17. XVIVX
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    i've been hearing reports abate might play. but just in case, should i do pirlo to marchisio and abate to barzagli?

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  18. Menly
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Where does Hubschmann play?

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    1. Demí
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Defensive midfield.

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  19. Bungalow Bill
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    I'm on my wildcard so any last-minute transfers I should make?

    Given, Lloris
    Strinic, St.Ledger, Lescott, Jacobsen, M.Olsson
    Pirlo, Krohn-Dehli, Blaszczykowski, Dzagoev (C), Gerrard
    RVP, Lewandowski, Arshavin

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    1. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Get rid of Krohn-Delhi and St Ledger imo.

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    2. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      That defence is horrible!!

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  20. The EJJ
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    If Barzagli returns does that mean in all likeliness Bonucci drops out?

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Looks like. I'll say 80% chance

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  21. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Officially don't have a clue. I want to make either 4 transfers or none. Please rate this players according potential for points.

    Cuba
    Diamanti
    Scweinsteiger
    Badsturber
    Barzagli

    Thanks,

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    1. COMH
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Why are you gonna take so many hits mate? We don't want gift the win to Greece.

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        No no mate I am gonna make one or 2 transfers the most. Just trying to decide for who to go. Please rate them. Thanks,.

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        1. COMH
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 6 months ago

          Ok cool. I like Kuba and Hummels or Kuba and Barzagli

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          1. FPL Daniel
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 6 months ago

            Kuba is good but Poland scoring 1 goal per game scares me

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

        Andersen(B),
        Ignashevich(A), Gebre Selassie(A), Jakobsen(B),
        Dzagoev(1)(A), Pilar(A), Schweinsteiger(2)(B), Pirlo(3?)(C), Mandzukic(C),
        Silva(3?)(C), Jelavic(C),

        Subs.: Lloris(D); Rooney(4)(D), Chiellini(C), Lescott(D)

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        1. COMH
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 6 months ago

          A true opponent showing complete transparency. And a lovely WC team at that 🙂

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

            Why thank you, Count! 🙂

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        2. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 6 months ago

          Rooney? He'll play deep and England probably will win 1:0

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

            If you say so ... 😀

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      3. COMH
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        We don't need to chase points and the Germany game could be Ozil's turn to shine and Schweinsteiger might have a quiet one. Diamanti is a punt you don't need to risk. I say we both just do our FT and keep ourselves in the game.

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah yeah one FT but for who of all those. I want German defender but that means hit. Otherwise new Italian defender and that's it

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

          I agree with him ... 😀

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 6 months ago

            By which you mean you dont I hope

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

              Now you've got me confused ... 😛

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              1. Ginkapo FPL
                • 14 Years
                13 years, 6 months ago

                Precisely the point, we have no idea if this is a smokescreen, so they have no chance

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

                  *giggles*

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    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Diamanti is a great shout

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        Ah crap giving tips to the russkis

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 6 months ago

          Sport spirit is called that. I would be more than happy to give u advice. Partner can we please mail each other?

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

          Slap your wrist!!! 😉

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      2. COMH
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        Don't trust this guy 🙂

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

          He is the straightest Orangutan I know ... 😀

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        2. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 6 months ago

          I mailed u

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  22. jez_wright
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    1) Neuer & Limbersky

    2) Buffon & Selassie

    3) Anderson & Barzagli + 0.9m

    ??

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  23. BPL FOREVER
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Murawski playing striker?

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  24. The Pep Revolution
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Kuba, Pilar, Gerrard, Mandzukic or Young for this week only?

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    1. Menly
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Young or Kuba

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  25. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    need to decide -- worth a -3 to bring in Pilar for Elm?

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    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      No Rosicky concern me.

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      1. Pomp and Circumstance
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        should I replace a keeper (Szczesny and Andersen)?

        replace Elm (of Sweden)?

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  26. COMH
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    I have done Cesc > Kuba. Should I keep Maggio in the hope he plays or take a 3 point hit for someone?

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Go for German defender if u decide to do that. But u need CS to brake even. Not so good value IMO.

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      1. COMH
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        Just going to leave it as it is. Like you say it's not worth it.

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 6 months ago

          Mail me. Good luck. I might to Cuba too and concentrate our efforts

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  27. Dan - We want our Trophy ba…
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    FT either:

    CR7 > RVP or

    Anderson > Tyton

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  28. Menly
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Hubschmann or Kolar?

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    1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Kolar!

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  29. Tin of Directors
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Kerzhakov or Dzagoev for (C)??

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Kerzh

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      1. Tin of Directors
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 6 months ago

        There's a lot of love for Kerzhakov on these boards today.

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        1. Declan
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 6 months ago

          he'll have more chances than Dzago, it's just whether he can put them away, 3rd time lucky for me with him *Gulp*

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    2. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Dzagoev

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  30. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 6 months ago

    Any of Dudka Murawski Polanski better options compared to Pilar?

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    1. Ivor
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 6 months ago

      Unless funds are an issue I'd go with Pilar

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