[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
20 October 2013 2063 comments
Mark Mark
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The Gameweek rolls on with just a single lunchtime encounter. Aston Villa entertain Tottenham in the midlands as our 4pm Sunday roast accompaniment.

Spurs roll up still bruised from the shock 3-0 home reverse at the hands of West Ham, while Villa come into the game off the back of the 0-0 at Hull, having won their previous two prior to the KC Stadium visit.

Today’s team sheet sees Paul Lambert make one change from the side that drew at the KC last time around, with Nathan Baker replacing Ciaran Clark in central defence. Despite plenty of midweek optimism, Christian Benteke only manages to make the bench for Villa, allowing Libor Kozak to lead the line again, with Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann supplying the threat from the flanks.

For Tottenham, Andre Villas-Boas rings the changes after the Hammers capitulation. In defence, Vlad Chiriches is handed his first league start – the Romanian partners Michael Dawson in the heart of the back-four, with Jan Vertonghen moving into the left-back berth. Sandro comes in for Mousa Dembele and partners Paulinho in the double-pivot, whilst further up the field, Christian Eriksen is replaced by Lewis Holtby in “the hole” and Roberto Soldado returns to take the lone forward role at the expense of Jermain Defoe.

Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now available to welcome those who like that matchday exchanges in real-time.

Finally, a remainder that Paddy Power are offering enhanced odds to our visitors on a Spurs victory today. If you’ve yet to register an account with Paddy you can get 4/1 on a Tottenham win – they’re currently evens for regular punters. Click here to get involved.

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

  1. Declan
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Should I WC this lot?

    Migs Marshall
    Clyne Zaba Ivan Riether Mbiwa
    Michu Ozil Siggy Ravel Huddlestone
    Rooney Lukaku Studge

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    1. Lawrø
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Absolutely not.

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      1. Declan
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Itchy trigger finger, after a poor GW just feeling sorry for myself.

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    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      What? That's a great team

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    3. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      No. You can get a good 11 out this week.

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      1. Declan
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        I suppose, next GW doesn't look too bad.

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  2. charlie1X
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    AVB still stung by the comment last week my mohrinho that when i make substitutions they work

    reference X side kick v West Ham

    Could be an explosive last 30 minutes

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  3. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Spurs are going to win this...

    1-3 maybe

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      3 goals in one game? Optimistic.

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      1. Eboue
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        That's 4

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          Meant by Spurs! 😀

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        2. Crouch Potato!
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          Slow down, I'm still adding it up!

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    2. Alan The Llama
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      2-1 Villa

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    3. Declan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      0-2

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    4. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      They have only scored 6 all season, can't see it from what I've seen so far.

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        It will come undone at one point. Looks like today. Buggumark please.

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    5. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      From the first 15 minutes not sure Spurs look good enough to win by that score. Confused at the back with the changes.

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  4. Saosin
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    0.5 in bank, 2 FT. Need som advice.
    My current team:

    Szczesny - Harper
    Touré - Ivanovic - Reid - Hughes - Williams
    Eriksen - Nolan - Ramsey - Michu - Colback
    Rooney - Lukaku - Suárez

    Any ideas?

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    1. clockwork
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Get a different keeper, arsenal look terrible at the back

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    2. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Chesney to boruc and eriksen to Oscar/hazard/silva

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  5. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    1) Giroud and JE to Aguero and Dawson

    or

    2) Giroud and Whittingham to Bentekke and Lallana

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      2 after Palace.

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      1. Blue Lion
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers.

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    2. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      keep giroud one more week at least

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    3. Adnan Shah
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Don't remove Giroud before Palace game. Strikers did well so far against Palace.

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  6. charlie1X
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Eriksen & Nolan -> JZ & Oscar

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  7. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    I still am not getting Ramsey. May be crazy, but I have transferred out JWP and could have afforded him but here are my reasons:

    Already have Giroud and Ozil (who I think are the best Arsenal coverage) and I don't particularly want 3/7 of my attacking options from one team, especially with some of Arsenal's trick fixtures coming up.

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      *tricky

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    2. charlie1X
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Giroud is not exactly setting the place alight since he talked to match of the day about linking play more.

      4 played

      zero bonus points
      zero golas
      3 assists

      There are better striker options for those precious 3 spots

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      1. charlie1X
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        *zero golas

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      2. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        He's nailed on (more so than Ramsey imo), playing well and the goals will come. Besides I might even get rid for Benteke after next week!

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        1. charlie1X
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          This makes good sense good luck

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    3. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      The more of these posts I see the happier I'll be!

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      1. charlie1X
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        zero golas

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    4. SamH123
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      I am justifying not getting Ramsey for the same reason
      Relying on hope that he slows down a bit more than anything else though!

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    5. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      I'm getting him.

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    6. Adnan Shah
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      You don't need to get him in now. With everyone getting fit, he might be rotated.

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    7. @FPLMason
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      I thought about it beneficially MJ6987.
      I brought in Ramsey this week yesterday. He will get a triple rise, giving me 0.1 pure.
      The following week, he will get at least a 0.1 rise on sat for the excess fts in. Another 0.1 pure. If he does well this week and gets points, i'll get 0.3 pure money off of Ramsey before I offload him.
      I also have Ozil and Giroud fyi.

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      1. @FPLMason
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        The other 0.2 from next week would come from the kneejerkers

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  8. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    i have eriksen in fpl and holtby in euroap league fantasy, not gonna work this week.

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  9. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    I must admit, that despite talking non-sense some of the time, David Pleat is very knowledgeable, and disperses his knowledge unlike most of "expert" commentators. He's growing on me.

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  10. Nopli -The Banned One (Solo…
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Play one out of this lot ..

    Brady,Eriksen,Januzaj or Ivanovic

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Oh dear. probably Eriksen and hope.

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Ivan

      Mou will probably approach the game very defensively, and Man City are have been VERY poor from corners.

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      1. Nopli -The Banned One (Solo…
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers for the replies everyone but i am sticking with Ivanovic atm because Mourinho plays defensively against the Big teams but will monitior Eriksen , lets see how it goes.

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    3. TuttiFrutti
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      januzai

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

      if only you could choose

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    5. Nopli -The Banned One (Solo…
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      3 posts and 3 different options . Goddaammmit 😈

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  11. megatronaldinho
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    repostage stamp. i thought that the sarjeant was a capable fellow. anyone considering el ahmadi or whichever other option posited seems bereft of logic. i'm aware that this post is a case of the pot calling the kettle a cooking utensil.

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    1. megatronaldinho
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      the main purpose of this post was putting the 'cooking utensil' thing out there. it'll be popular. wait and see

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  12. Declan
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    What is the purpose of Fabian Delph?

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  13. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    So far so good Eriksen on Spurs bench and mine

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Who did you bench him for?

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      1. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Ozil Ramsey Michu Barkley

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        1. Declan
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          Oh, tough decsion most GW's

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          1. Declan
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 4 months ago

            *decision

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Wish i had him on my bench instead of Ramsey 🙁

      Then again i thought this about benching Ramsey yesterday at 3pm!

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  14. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    I am planning these transfers after GW 10. So? Which one to go?

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  15. karankachiefs
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    First time I've watched spurs this season. 20 odd million for Soldado. Wow.

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Give him time.

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      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        What do you expect him to do with no service at all?

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        1. karankachiefs
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          I think you are in denial. He might be getting no service but his movement is awful, looks lethargic.

          I'd rather have defoe all day.

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          1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 4 months ago

            I feel bad for Soldado. Spurs system is anti-striker. Put Ade there and he's shite, put Defoe there and he's shit, put Soldado (who is world class) there and he's shit.

            Spurs play a system that is dependent on the man in the hole/winger. They started playing it after Keane left and VDV was the reason. After VDV left Bale was able to play that role, and now they're trying to do it with Siggy also.

            Spurs is not a place for top strikers imo

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    2. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      TBF he is getting no service, Spurs build up far too deliberate.

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    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      He's the kind of striker that requires a support striker I reckon.

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  16. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Dawson almost scores!

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    1. charlie1X
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      If only he was the one at West Brom

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  17. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Team name: Bacuna Mata-ta ...

    you can have it for free

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      hah? Sorry don't get it.....please explain

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      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        How can you not get it? 🙁

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        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          Come on tell me!

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          1. Gaz Downright
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 4 months ago

            should we link him the vid?

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    2. @FPLMason
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      I might take this instead of my She Gave Me A Bony.
      Genius, Gaz.

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    3. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      very late. thousands have that name

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        thousands? how many NTI this week?

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  18. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Would Walcott even make the Arsenal XI anymore? Wenger must have a selection headache before every game as it is. He benched Wally at the start of last season, would he do it again?

    He was full of praise for the Wilshere goal because of the tika taka passing. Would Wally fit into this new style?

    Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24598191
    Goal: http://i.minus.com/ibxkfe8G8T679n.gif

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Yes he will.

      He is vital to our game. Over 20 goals and over 15 assists last season remember.

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        You're top of the table. Is he "vital" to this new style of football?

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          We are playing very well at the moment, but Walcott gives us something extra. He stretches the defence, and gives more space for our midfielders. He also does very good work defensively.
          We are playing 3 attacking midfielders out of necessity, not because it is better.
          Arsenal are better, and Wenger favours, a lop sided 3.

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Probably not

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    3. charlie1X
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Good point. no idea all a rotation nightmare bar Ozil

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    4. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Podolski, the forgotten man.

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      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Gone in Jan.

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    5. Lawrø
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      New style? Arsenal have always been Tiki Taka...

      He'd be crazy not to play him 😀

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Not to this extreme, not since the invincibles.
        He's a great FPL player and I'm a huge fan, but he doesn't exactly defend much for the team.

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          His average position is higher than Giroud, he can't always tuck in with the right back. When we are defensively set, he is very good.

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    6. Declan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      And what a nice headache to have. 😎

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    7. Kenncam
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Ozil safest option when all available but can see him being rested too around champ league games.

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      1. Blue Lion
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Hey Kenncam. Nice score yesterday.

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    8. The Machine
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Walcott is the best RW we have

      Wilshere can have one or two good games there, like the one he had yesterday, but nothing more

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        I don't think Wenger likes playing out and out wingers. He's made a comment on this in the past when talking about playing Podolski wide instead of up front. He mentioned something about team "balance".

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          Yh, he liked the balance of a lop sided 3. Not a narrow 3.

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  19. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Hope Eriksen doesn't come on! Ramsey first sub..

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    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      He will

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        I know!!!!

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        1. Optimus.
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          You shouldn't have benched the best player in the league..

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    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Ouch. He definitely will though. There is no creativity coming from the players currently on the pitch.

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    3. Eboue
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Benching Ramsey was crazy at home with Norwich

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      1. The3rdTurd
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        Not really, given that Wenger also benched him. Would've been the right decision were it not for Flamini getting a bang on the head.

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        1. Eboue
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 4 months ago

          I get that, but I don't think this person predicted the benching. If Ramsey had started he would have got the same/more

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          1. The3rdTurd
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 4 months ago

            I assumed he'd be benched, based on what Wenger said and on the number of minutes he'd played this season. So I also benched him.

            Them's the breaks.

            If Ramsey had started, it probably would have been on the wing, where he was ineffective against West Brom.

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          2. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 4 months ago

            Course i predicted it 😉

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    4. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      70% chance he does I reckon

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    5. megatronaldinho
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      i hope he does. you don't really deserve luck shining down on you

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  20. DÏLKS
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Anybody think there should be more of a bonus for forward passes completed? Then players like Carrick would get more noticed for what they do.

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      i think bonus pt should end

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  21. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    From watching the first 25 minutes of this match, it's easy to see why Spurs only have six goals in the PL.

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  22. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Dawson so close.

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    1. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      ...to ball

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  23. charlie1X
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Eriksen likely to get 20-30 minutes to prove Morinho wrong for insinuating he can't use effective substitutions.

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Will when he does come on he better do something! Cus Ramsey is my first sub!

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  24. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Never thought I would say this, but Danny Rose - please mend faster

    Hate seeing Super Jan on the back - such a waste

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  25. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    This game is a wee bit shite.

    The runny type too.

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    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      At least we have Fulham - Crystal Palace to look forward too tomorrow night 🙁

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    3. Saint Domingo
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      A bit like Soldado so far.

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    4. karankachiefs
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      Terrible game of football.

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  26. Lawrø
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Tottenham don't look great, infact the only team that does look convincing is Arsenal, Liverpool may get Top 4 by default at this rate! 😀

    (Wishful Thinking)

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 4 months ago

      oh come off it

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      1. Lawrø
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 4 months ago

        😉

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  27. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Luka Bentley last 4:

    3,1,2,0(so far)

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  28. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Dawson looks not easy with the pass.

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  29. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    One player has transformed Arsenal. All the Spurs signings don't seem to have improved them at all. Massive Bales exit hangover.

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  30. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 4 months ago

    Hmmmmm.....I see united are now interested in Koke! Any chance of getting him......

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