Dugout Discussion
21 April 2013 3775 comments
Mark Mark
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Park the lawnmower and throw the kid next door a fiver to clean the car. Let nothing tear you away from the couch as Sunday presents a double bill that will surely keep us out of the sunshine, warmed only by the rays of our telly screens.

It all starts at White Hart Lane, where Spurs take on Man City in what looks a vital encounter for Andre Villas-Boas’ side. With rivals Arsenal stealing a somewhat unconvincing march on third with the win at Fulham, it’s over to Tottenham to see if they can navigate past second-placed City to earn a precious three points. As for Roberto Mancini’s side, they’re surely fighting for pride, regardless of the maths at the top of the table.

The big news from the Lane is that Gareth Bale is fit to start for Tottenham after making a rapid recovery from an ankle injury. Aaron Lennon misses out altogether, though, and with Jermain Defoe taking his place on the bench, Villas-Boas hands Clint Dempsey and Gylfi Sigurdsson places in the attacking midfield three behind Emmanuel Adebayor.

For City, Sergio Aguero only makes the bench and David Silva misses out altogether due to a hamstring problem sustained in the recent Manchester derby. Mancini opts for Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko up top and brings back the likes of Pablo Zabaleta, Matija Nastasic and Gael Clichy after resting the trio in the midweek match with Wigan.

That ample lunchtime treat is followed up by a trip to Anfield for the four o’clock kick-off, as Rafa Benitez returns to the venue of former glories. His Chelsea lineup take on a Liverpool side that’s stuttered of late and with Luis Suarez blanking in the last four, Fantasy managers will be looking for the Uruguayan to get back on track, although Daniel Sturridge, against his former club today, will also be looking to crash the party.

Our Dugout Discussion chatroom has been fired up and is ready to take you right through to the evening roast.

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

  1. I taught Ashley Young how t…
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Jamie Redknapp mentioning magic wand again

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    1. COMH
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      He is cheese quaver. Talks such shit.

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  2. COMH
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Best midfielder for £9.2m or less for next week and the double??

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    1. BenjaniMwaruwari
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Dempsey

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    2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      lampard

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    3. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Dempsey?

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    4. Tuchap - Lurker
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Mr Double GW himself.

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    5. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Nasri

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    6. Bullet Tooth Bony
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I see you're getting rid of Silva too? haha

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  3. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    defoe for the DGW?

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    1. Himself93
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I swooped him up, can anyone explain how Protection of Prices works?

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    2. Ayling Buyers Club
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Yup.

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  4. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Where are AVB haters? Show yourself!

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    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      great substitutions he made today

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  5. kaz 96
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    ESPN in India/Pak showing Liv-chelsea?

    No start sports atm

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    1. Pinoche
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Liv Che on Star Sports here

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      1. kaz 96
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        🙁

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    2. Siva Mohan
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      & on ESPN HD

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  6. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    SA have 4 Bales!

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    1. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      This result will only lead to an RVP hat-trick

      Blessing in disguise

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    2. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Well done Chu and the Scouts 😀

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  7. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    feeling quite knee jerky..2 FTs...might treat myself to a mini wildcard and take an 8 point hit 🙂

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  8. Licky
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Do us a favour Rafa, theres a good lad.

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  9. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Over to you Rafa. Time to nail that 3rd spot.

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  10. BenjaniMwaruwari
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Take a punt on Defoe for next 2 GW or go safe with Kone?

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    1. gebb
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I really wanna Rooney+Sissoko -> Bale + Defoe

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  11. Trigg ⭐️
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Suarez (C).

    Nobody else at the top of my ML even owns him. Safe to say I'm pretty nervous.

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    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Lets hope he runs riot.

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      1. Licky
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        He wants that PFA award.

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    2. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      good choice. but rvp(c) is better! 🙂

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      1. Licky
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Everyone went for him though.

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        1. Plagued by indecision
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          not me! Michu (c). I'm delighted with doubling that CS point.

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  12. Viper
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Sorry for repost. Would like some feedback on this wildcard team. Might be a bit over the top but i'm going for broke..

    Hart
    Boyce Verthongen Rangel (OR Luiz) - (Martin, Demel)
    Mata Michu Walcott Bale (Fellaini)
    Kone Tevez Defoe

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    1. Dr Ennet
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Nice Viper... I would say go for it!

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    2. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Looks similar to what my team will be like, I'd go Luiz over Rangel but it looks good.

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    3. trikster102
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Looks pretty good to me. I'd sell a kidney for a wildcard right now.

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    4. charlie1X
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I'd consider Hazard or Maloney over Fellaini (who if DM is a YC magnet with very few chances to score or assist) Keep Walcott (GW 35 & 37) for potential OOP with Giroud's red.

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      1. Viper
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        If I bring in Hazard/Maloney for Fellaini though then I would have to bench Walcott vs. QPR which wouldn't be easy..

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  13. leovesole
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Fellaini to Bale
    Suarez to ????

    Other forwards, Rvp & Berba. Wil do Berba to Kone GW36.

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    1. Dr Ennet
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Tevez or Defoe?

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    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Tevez?

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    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Wait to see how Suarez plays. Decent fixtures. Otherwise maybe to Defoe.

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    4. charlie1X
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Defoe

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  14. Dr Ennet
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Baines > Dawson
    Sissoko > Bale

    -4pt hit

    Sound moves? 😀

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  15. Mr.B
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Excluding Aguero, is Tevez the best choice for a City attacking option and Clichy for defender(only got 6.1 to spend on a City defender)?

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  16. trikster102
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Could have done Caz to Bale, had my finger on the button but no, I thought i'd leave it a week. Bloody idiot 🙁

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      My finger never got close to the button but I feel your frustration.

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  17. Ayling Buyers Club
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Yes or no?

    This week: Sissoko -> Maloney, Cazorla -> Bale and Giroud -> Defoe. (-4 pt)
    Next week: Lampard -> Any midfielder/Fellaini -> Silva

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    1. Rossamous
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      The first one is meh..ok. I wouldn't get Defoe though. Perhaps Kone. Do get rid of Lampard but not for Silva. He's a waste

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    2. gebb
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Yes.

      Ditching Lamps before DGW?

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      1. Ayling Buyers Club
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Have thought quite a bit about that one. Will have 5 DGW midfielders + RVP, Suarez and DGW attacker, meaning I will have to bench one. If I get rid of Lampard for a better DGW option, I can bench Fellaini.

        Also, Fellaini does not give me enough money to get Hazard/Lampard, but merely Silva who is not guaranteed both games, playing for a team lacking motivation.

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        1. gebb
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Well if you want motivation do as Rossamous says and get Kone instead of Defoe, then you can get in Hazard instead of Silva.

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  18. Rossamous
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Does anyone have a spare can of Luck laying around? If so, I would really like to purchase it.

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  19. Soccer Brah
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Bale in for Walcott or Fellaini?

    Walcott has the harder fixture but will be playing OOP and has QPR, Wigan and Newcastle up after United.

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I'm in a similar dilemma between Fellaini and Cazorla

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  20. the Bap Chap
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    nothing too exciting.
    Bale 3, Dempsey 2, Defoe 1

    Have Bale 2ppi ahead of Dempsey, Defoe a further 8 ppi behind so Bale looks safe for at least 2 despite his 2 off target and 1 blocked

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    1. beric
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      yes bale!

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    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Thank you for bringing the good news 🙂 as always

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    3. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Great for me a Bale owner, thanks...

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    4. Captain Berbarossa - arrrrr…
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers BC, will take the 6 points 😀

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  21. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    None of my rivals bought Bale back yet 🙂 massive points!

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    1. UKG
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      This

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  22. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    No returns from any of my players so far but have Guthrie and Wilson on the bench, what a disappointing GW...

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    1. Rossamous
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I maybe might beat you

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  23. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Ok, so with that Bale score, and no Sturridge, that's my season over. See you all in August. 🙁

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    1. COMH
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Your rank is about the same as mine and I am Bale'less also.

      Just gotta be bold and aim for 10k. That is about as much as we can do.

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Bah!

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  24. COMH
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    a) Bale + Dempsey

    or

    b) Bale + Lampard

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      b

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    2. Ayling Buyers Club
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      B.

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  25. kaz 96
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Torres starting tonight, and the fact that he'll start the two Europa games...

    Does that make Ba nailed on for the next 3 league games?

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    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      If only it worked like that

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    2. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Probably but with Rafa on can never be sure

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    3. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Torres is their first choice striker so can't see him missing two consecutive games

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    4. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Yep Ba against Swansea and Utd

      Torres against Spurs

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  26. CAP
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    I'm never listening to you lot again 🙁

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    1. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      listen to yourself next time
      actually coming on here, made be do bale to caz, i wasnt going to

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    2. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Oh well

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    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      *checks scout picks*

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  27. kaz 96
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Wow Rafa bottles it again ;(

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    1. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Nadal*

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  28. jas5sk - Youtube channel
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Don't understand why Rafa is playing Torres over Ba. He must know that Ba is a better player than Torres.

    Is it just for sentimental reasons? Is Torres a better defender?

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    1. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      its the score on your old team ploy

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      1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        That would be a beautiful moment, honestly. Liverpool fans have said some pretty nasty things.

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  29. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    FORM OVER FIXTURES

    You lot repeat it like a mantra but dont actually follow it.

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Like what?

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    2. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Michu over Bale this week was always the logical move

      but you wanna talk about form, look at City's defensive form before this game..

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Michu's recent history vs Bales recent history? Ok.

        Before his injury you were all shouting up Bale as fixture proof.... Nothing changed whilst he was injured. Sure he might not have been 100% but he wasnt going to magically turn into Heske....

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        1. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          You haven't seen the hundreds of posts celebrating their Bale transfer then?

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah from all the lurkers. Whoop.

            The consensus was very much to get Michu and it shouldnt have been. I am not gonna shout about having Bale's points as I never got rid so it was easy.

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      After missing a couple with injury could we be sure that Bale would pick up where he left off? Much of his performance left a lot to be desired.

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    4. trikster102
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I'll remember that for next season. This was my very first so this one has just been a learning experience, next one will be where it really starts.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Its the mantra, but far too often fixtures are over analysed on here.

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    5. Ayling Buyers Club
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Also, Bale do not tend to play this well right after an injury.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Bale didnt tend to play so well or consistently....

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  30. Live4pool
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    rafa has class. playing torres at anfield and not ba

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