[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
16 March 2013 3484 comments
Mark Mark
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There are six Premier League matches in front of us, with the Manchester title challengers providing bookends to our day. City start things off with their latest “must win” game at Goodison, as they take on Everton in the 12.45 kick-off in a bid to close the gap on United to nine points. Later this evening, United will be on the hunt for goals as they continue on their seemingly relentless path to the title. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men face Reading in a match that will carry huge expectations for those holding Robin Van Persie in their squads.

In between those two matches, there are four other games to entertain us and provide Fantasy returns with both Liverpool and Arsenal in action at Southampton and Swansea respectively, while Villa face another “six-pointer” with QPR. Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open and will be with you throughout the day to capture your views and emotions as the points roll in.

The team news finds Everton make two changes, as David Moyes elects to bring in both Darron Gibson and Victor Anichebe with Phil Neville and the woefully out-of-form, Nikica Jelavic, making way. City make changes of their own, with Yaya Toure forced to miss out, apparently due to a migraine. Roberto Mancini reacts by appearing to revert to three at the back as he recalls Javi Garcia, James Milner, Matija Nastasic and Joe Hart from the side that mauled Barnsley in the FA Cup. It’s unconfirmed, but it could be that Aleks Kolarov and James Milner will be at wing-back, with Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez retained up front from last weekend’s FA Cup win.

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

  1. ccc
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Well I feel a bit better about not having any City players. Who else out there does not own any City?

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    1. bennydebull
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Clichy ğŸ™

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      1. Scribe
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Zaba you slut

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    2. raul_elmatador
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      none here

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    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I don't.

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    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Oh, I've got Begovic.

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      1. Pinoche
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        😀

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    5. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      o/

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    6. Pinatta
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I have none, no-one really cares in that team, except from Hart maybe

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    7. .
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      o/

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    8. Gigging Order
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I havn't for a long time

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  2. Rafabio
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    The. Goal.

    http://youtu.be/DKNPwDHeUp0

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    1. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Thank you.

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    2. Goaldigger
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks, missed it

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

    It is my understanding that playing 3cbs, like Mancini is today, leaves you vulnerable to wing play. Why has he chosen this particular formation against a team who have previously been commended with strong wing play?

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    1. Scribe
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Cause he is as useful as my taint.

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I think he was gambling that their wingers would be preoccupied with the wing-backs but that clearly hasn't worked...

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    3. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Mancini is a tool. Forget this game, this 3-5-2 as harly worke for him this year.

      Hard to believe they won the title last year.

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      1. kaz 96
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Hardly worked*

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      2. Balotellitubbies
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        He should ask Martinez how it's done

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    4. Park the bus
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      absolutely love this, a guy who has clearly never kicked a ball in his life querying Mancini on tactics used.

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

        😆 It's just a question. 'It is my understanding', i wan't claiming to know more. And i play in a 5-a-side tournament.

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        1. Park the bus
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          i would imagine it had crossed Mancini's mind that Everton are strong down the flanks.

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  4. Red-United
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Annoyed that Everton's first 'goal' was disallowed.

    You just know that will come back to bite them in the ass in the second half.

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    1. nedfoo
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Aye, plus it was a bloody good goal

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    2. Park the bus
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      doh, doesn't necessarily mean it would be 2-0 though!

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  5. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Afro > Pienaar.

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    1. ccc
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      better options out there

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    2. Viper
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Think i'll avoid Everton. He did do a good job though the last time Fellaini was out..

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    3. â­ Bemba_Da â­
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      osman prob better option than pienaar

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      1. Rafabio
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Correct.

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        1. Kostja
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          Based on what????

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          1. Kostja
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            Osman has played more minutes slightly but has significantly less points.

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          2. Rafabio
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            Watching them both

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            1. Kostja
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 1 month ago

              how is that gonna transfer into fantasy points? Same amount of shots per game, with pienaar having 1.5 more key passes per game. Bad advice IMO

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  6. kaz 96
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Nasty in my doubles team

    Zaba in my singles team

    Damn you Osman!

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    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Exact same as me kaz.

      Maybe a zaba assist or goal in 2nd half?

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      1. kaz 96
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        wuldn't rule that out. He's always a threat down the right..

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  7. super zlatan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Lol @ stelling

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  8. Wolverine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    If Fellaini now gets a straight red for violent conduct, what happens then? 3 match ban for straight red and a further 2 matches as he's accumulated 10 yellows??

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    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I think he still gets a 2 game ban but remains on 9 yellows, can anyone confirm this?

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      1. Scribe
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        ^true

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    2. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      cross that bridge, etc?

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      1. Wolverine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Yh fair enough! Just gonna enjoy the game and hope Everton can take something of city today if not all 3 points!

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    3. Breadbin
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Indeed. Combined for a 4 match ban, 2nd yellow would make it a 2 games for 10 yellows + 1 game for the red.

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      1. AIRMILES
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        2 + 1 = 4?

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        1. Breadbin
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          Straight red = 3 + 1, 2nd yellow = 2 + 1.

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        2. Breadbin
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          3 + 2 actually, would be a 5 match ban.

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  9. Fin
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Crouch Potato... I like your opinions 😀

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    1. /
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Do you like his onions?

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  10. Jimbo123
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone got any cunning betting tips for today?

    Arsenal look good value to me.....

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

      Betting on Arsenal is never a cunning tip.

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      1. Jimbo123
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        I'm a sucker for the odds.....

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

    If Man City lose this, it just means more Man Utd headaches with their players. I don't want them to wrap the league up just yet.

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    1. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      +1 but they look too bad to get anything done.

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    2. Balotellitubbies
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      It's just boring in general too.

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  12. Fin
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    This may be an overstatement but i think Lukaku could become one of Chelsea's best ever strikers...

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    1. TheCurseOfRaheem
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Bit bold to go that far but he certainly looks the part.

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      1. Fin
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        13 goals and 3 assists in 1360 minutes which is the equivalent of 15 games... and he's 19.. not too shabby 😉

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    2. Owd Big 'Ed
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Lol. Bit premature.

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    3. Jimbo123
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I can see why comparisons were made to Drogba. I would be surprised if they loaned him out again next season.

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      1. dribbler
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        the way he was talking when he went to west brom he doesn't want to play for them again

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        1. Get up ya bum
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          I think he'd change his tune if he was wanted

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          1. dribbler
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            yeah and money talks too I guess

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            1. Get up ya bum
              • 16 Years
              13 years, 1 month ago

              Money yells 😉

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          2. Jimbo123
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            This

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    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      These kind of posts are normally only ever made right after they've just scored 😯

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    5. .
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Duh

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      1. Fin
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        How is it "duh"?

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        1. .
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          Oh sorry, not duh, you're a genius for saying something obvious. Well done 🙄

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          1. Fin
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            Obvious? How is it obvious? From what i can see here the opinion is fairly split so stick your "duh" up your arse

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            1. .
              • 13 Years
              13 years, 1 month ago

              Waaaaaaaa. Grow up, child.
              Top scorer in the Belgian league when he was only 17. Of course he's going to be immense for Chelsea.

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          2. Eboue
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            Posts like ^ this are pointless

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            1. Eboue
              • 13 Years
              13 years, 1 month ago

              (to 'mac an ri')

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    6. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      +Billions

      Exactly wy i think this could be the year Messi finally stops winning Ballon d or, too.

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    7. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Amen to that. We just need to sell Torres and make Lukaku our primary striker. He just need a chance

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      1. Fin
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Him, Mata, Hazard, Oscar and even Ba will be fantastic next year. Hopefully the new manager won't loan him out

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    8. CHANCING PUNT
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Hardly a crazy claim, how many truly great strikers have Chelsea had?

      Zola, Hasselbaink, Drogba...?

      If this claim was made about becoming a truly great United, Liverpool, Arsenal striker then maybe so...

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  13. rohan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Oh dear Kolarov

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  14. Owd Big 'Ed
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    200m on wages. City look terrible.

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    1. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      They have the best coach in the world.

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  15. dribbler
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    lolarov

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  16. /
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Samir Nasri what a wasteman!

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    1. Balotellitubbies
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      😆

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  17. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Wouldn't mind Distin coming off after 61 mins

    🙂

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  18. सनकी
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    yeaaaa Zaba>anyone would be okay now that he's no longer going forward as he used to do.

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    1. rohan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      It's because they are playing 3-5-2

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      1. सनकी
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        they've been playing 3-5-2 for the past 2-3 games now then.. whenever they play this formation he wont be going forward.. might aswell do Zab>Enrique as they have a great fixtures ahead..

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      2. सनकी
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        and why the f are you taking so many hits mate ?

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        1. rohan
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          To answer your second question first, I love hits. 😀

          And to be fair, they play a 3-5-2 once in like a month or something. Keep Zab imo

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

      They have home matches against Newcastle and Wigan in their next 3. I think i'm keeping.

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  19. TheCurseOfRaheem
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Imagine if City had a good manager? I'm sure they'd be about 10 points clear themselves.

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    1. Back to Back Ballacks
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      so they would have 25 extra points?

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      1. Back to Back Ballacks
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        meaning they would have won every game this season.

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        1. Burd Turglars
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          He did say good manager

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      2. TheCurseOfRaheem
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Well, no. I just mean the title race would've taken a very different shape.

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        1. Back to Back Ballacks
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          I do agree about Manicni tho, has made somevery dubious decisions.

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

          Back to Back has made you look a little bit silly here, to be fair 🙂

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          1. TheCurseOfRaheem
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            Heh, indeed. Still stand by the point though, City would be ahead with a better manager, imo.

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    2. Pinatta
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      No way, their squad isn't that good.

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    3. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Title winning team that mancini built...

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    4. Fin
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I kinda agree. Mancini has made pretty awful signings.... The Italian Kenny Daglish

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  20. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    I want to apologise to City fans--I jerked Kolarov into two of my Totelfootball teams when I saw him in the teamsheet. It's my fault he is stinking up the place.

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  21. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    1-1 Aiden White MOT!!

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  22. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    House of Cards!! Wow.. what a show.

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    1. dribbler
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      is it online only?

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      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        i'm in india.. everything is online only for me 🙂 .. it's shown a net flix show though. Beautiful.. check metacritic for reviews if you like

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  23. kaz 96
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    No that everyone's sold King Baines, Everton will keep a cleanie..

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      21% ownership

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  24. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Lineups time?

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

      5 minutes.

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

      Pretty much.

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    3. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      No

      Unless your watch is 3 mins ahead

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        already started

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  25. Demí
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    @SimonPeach
    Pepe Reina looks set to start for #LFC against #SaintsFC. Just rocked up at St Mary's #PAsoccer

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    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Yes!! Finally something goin right for me

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    2. Back to Back Ballacks
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Have you anything on Gylfi for me?

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    3. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Sturridge?

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  26. SUPERMAN
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Forget about the first 70 minutes of this game. It will all be down to the last 20 minutes.

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  27. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    when is the best time to WC the doubles team?

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    1. AGUEROOOOO!!!!!
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      doing it gw33 will save alot of hassle just a mess about anyway

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  28. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    to be fair Mancini is honouring his Italian heritage... wine wine wine... and some more wine

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

      I Hate to say tHis - but you are missing an aitcH! 😉

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      1. jimnastics
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        That was the joke...

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        1. Gaz Downright
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          I'll get my coat...

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

    I hate matches after 60 minutes. ğŸ™

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  30. CHANCING PUNT
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else go with Bale captain?

    Fulham pretty poor away from home, freshly rested from midweek.

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    1. jimnastics
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, actually seemed the obvious choice to me when just looking at form, which is how I always pick my captains.

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