[sbu_large_image] Scout Notes
16 December 2013 1941 comments
Paul Paul
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Luis Suarez tears Tottenham apart as Liverpool turn in their slickest display of the season. Danny Welbeck is at the double as Wayne Rooney drops deeper in United’s comfortable win at Villa, while Gary Hooper is in the goals again as Norwich and Swansea share the points at Carrow Road:

Suarez Dismantles Spurs at the Lane
Having scored in just one of his previous four away games, the Uruguayan was overlooked by many for the armband this weekend. Factor in the loss of Steven Gerrard in the Liverpool engine room and there were concerns that Brendan Rodgers’ side may struggle to break down the Tottenham rearguard – what transpired was nothing short of sublime as Suarez served up an astonishing 22-point haul in his first game as stand-in Reds skipper.

Playing a part in all five of his side’s strikes, with two goals and a trio of assists in the 5-0 hammering, the Uruguayan’s performances have now reached a level previously unseen by Fantasy managers – put into perspective, Robin van Persie averaged 6.9 points per game last term for United; Suarez has so far produced 12.4 ppg in 11 appearances. The Liverpool forward has seven double-figure hauls to his name and, with 16 goals and 10 assists, has played a part in 26 of the 34 goals his side have scored since he returned from suspension in Gameweek 6 – with a home game against Cardiff up next, it’s likely he’ll be the most overwhelming armband favourite in memory.

Henderson Under the Radar
Recovered from the knock picked up in last week’s win over West Ham, the midfielder was fielded as the most advanced of the central midfield three in yesterday’s trip to Tottenham. The only outfield player to start every league game under Brendan Rodgers, Henderson delivered his most impressive showing of the season by bagging a goal and assist in the 5-0 rout. A crucial part of the Reds’ first XI, he has also chipped in with a couple of assists over the last six and, priced at just 5.9 in FPL, may be a real, overlooked alternative to consider in light of his new position. Elsewhere, Philippe Coutinho turned in yet another disappointing display for his Fantasy owners and failed to deliver points yet again. Liverpool have scored 22 goals in their last six league games with the Brazilian back in the XI but, despite his side’s flourishing form, the 8.6-priced midfielder has just a single goal and assist to his name over that period – a clear example, if ever, that picking a player based on the idea of “team coverage” is never guaranteed to bring home the points.

Spurs Fail Miserably at Both Ends of the Pitch
With the likes of Jan Vertonghen, Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches all still sidelined through injury, the Spurs boss watched on as his patched-up backline was dismantled by Suarez and co. Having registered seven clean sheets in the first 10 Gameweeks, Spurs have conceded in every league game since in a run that has seen them ship 16 goals in just six league games as their defensive resolve has quickly fallen to pieces. A recent upturn in attacking intent had produced two goals in each of the last three before yesterday but the statistics are damning for Villas-Boas – his side failed to register a single shot on target and allowed Liverpool their first clean sheet on the road since Gameweek 2. The Spurs boss now faces up to the next three games without his midfield ever-present Paulinho – the Brazilian will miss the midweek cup clash against West Ham, in addition to league games with Southampton and West Brom. However, his manager has revealed the club may consider appealing his sending-off.

Welbeck Shines as Rooney Drops Deep
Having seen Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku fail to live up to our expectations the previous day, Wayne Rooney’s Fantasy owners were optimistic of a bumper haul away to Villa yesterday. Instead, the United forward was handed a more withdrawn role and managed just a single assist in the 3-0 win as Danny Welbeck made the most of a rare opportunity as the champions’ lone striker.

With Robin van Persie sidelined for a month due to a thigh injury, Welbeck certainly staked a claim for another start through the middle at home to West Ham next weekend by bagging a first-half brace before Tom Cleverley added the third. Coming in at just 7.0 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Welbeck’s budget-friendly appeal could sway many non-Rooney owners eyeing up a potential replacement for Aguero, depending on the latter’s calf scans. Welbeck’s versatility could prove his downfall, though – despite his impressive showing, he may yet be shifted to the flanks if Moyes opts to restore Shinji Kagawa to his XI. The Japan international missed out through illness again yesterday but, if fit in time for next week, could well be handed the role in “the hole”, thus allowing Rooney the advanced central spot once again.

Rare Clean Sheet for United at Lacklustre Villa
Somewhat incredibly, yesterday was the first time this season Moyes’ side have kept out their opponents on the road. With a single shut-out in their previous 11 Gameweeks, United rolled up to Villa with one of the poorest defensive records in the league but benefitted from their hosts’ worrying inability to find the net. Home games against West Ham and Swansea in the next five, allied with trips to Hull and Norwich hint at further defensive returns and bolster Jonny Evans’ appeal – the 5.0 priced Northern Ireland international has now started eight of the last 10 league fixtures and continues to benefit from injury concerns over the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling at the heart of the champions’ defence.

For the hosts, Paul Lambert has plenty to worry about. Despite handing Christian Benteke another start in a 4-3-3, the Villa boss watched his side fail to score for the seventh time in the last 10 Gameweeks – the only crumb of comfort for Villa is that their schedule (sto, CPL, SWA, sun) remains favourable over the next four. Lambert will need to make do without Gabby Agbonlahor for next week’s trip to the Britannia, though – the forward will serve a one-match ban after picking up his fifth caution of the campaign yesterday.

Hooper’s Scoring Streak Continues
The Canaries summer signing fired home a superb equaliser to earn a share of the spoils at home to Swansea yesterday. Hooper’s long-range effort was clearly the sign of a striker filled with self-belief right now – he’s now scored in four of the last six Gameweeks, which is all the more impressive given that he was a sub for one of those matches. Indeed, Hooper has now struck four of his side’s nine goals from Gameweek 9 onwards and, despite rumours of an imminent return for Ricky van Wolfswinkel, the 6.1-priced former Celtic man will surely continue to lead the line as Chris Hughton’s side prepare to face all of the bottom three (sun, FUL, cpl) in the next four Gameweeks.

Dyer Concern for Swans
The wide man continued his upturn in attacking consistency by grabbing the opener at Carrow Road yesterday. Having recently notched against Stoke and Newcastle, Dyer’s strike was the third time in the last six Gameweeks he has found the net but Michael Laudrup is now sweating over his availability after he was withdrawn before the interval with an ankle injury. Initial x-rays have shown “no obvious break”, according to the club, with Dyer set for further scans later tomorrow before a final diagnosis.

The Swans boss will also be concerned by Michu’s form – the Spaniard was handed the lone forward role but yet again drew a blank as he continues to find last season’s form hard to rediscover – he’s now scored just twice in 12 appearances this term and, with Everton, Chelsea, City, United and Spurs in the next six Gameweeks, few will be willing to go anywhere near Swansea’s assets just now.

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  1. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Bye Wenger

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Buy Wenger.

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

    Zenit vs Dortmund
    Arsenal vs Munich

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

    City has been so unlucky in UCL for the last two years!

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      There weren't many easier ties for them, would have been hard no matter what.

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

    Arsenal-Bayern!

    Yessssssssssssssssssssss!

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  5. FISSH
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    lol see ya Arsenal

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  6. Damo.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    City, Atletico, Utd, PSG, Chelsea, Madrid, Dortmund, Bayern

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  7. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Round of 16 UCL:

    Man City Vs Barcelona

    Olympiakos Vs Man U

    AC Milan Vs Atl Madrid

    Bayern Leverkusen Vs PSG

    Galatasaray Vs Chelsea FC

    FC Shalke VS Real Madrid

    Zenit Vs Borussia Dortmund

    Arsenal Vs Bayern FC

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  8. Wirtzle Gummidge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Champions League Draw:

    Manchester City v Barcelona
    Olympiakos v Manchester United
    AC Milan v Atletico Madrid
    Bayer Leverkusen v Paris Saint-Germain
    Galatasaray v Chelsea
    Schalke v Real Madrid
    Zenit St Petersburg v Borussia Dortmund
    Arsenal v Bayern Munich

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    1. Barry Woj
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Moyes to win the UCL!

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      1. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        yeah for Olympiakos maybe 🙂

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  9. Kvelertak
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    What a great UCL draw, for us United fans, at least me, it was exactly what i wanted. Easiest game possible for a period with really tough fixtures.

    City - Barcelona
    Arsenal - Bayern

    Oh my!

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    1. Kvelertak
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Bayern and City easy through!

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      1. Wirtzle Gummidge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        City at home to Barcelona... what a game that is going to be!

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        1. Kvelertak
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Indeed, can't wait. 😀

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  10. copps
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    At least Arsenal can concentrate on the league now

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  11. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    F*cking draw is fixed I tells ya!!!

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  12. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Back to RMTs now.

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    1. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      +1

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    2. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero > ? Even...

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Rooney is the safe choice. Someone cheaper for upgrades.

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        1. HVT
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Negredo for me

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  13. AK ⭐
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Kind Drogba will come at Stamford Bridge once again! 😀

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Such a kind guy.

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      1. AK ⭐
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        😆

        King*

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  14. FISSH
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Drogba to score at the Bridge. Would love it hahaha

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    1. Peggi
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      it is written in the stars

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      1. FISSH
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        hopefully its a last min penalty to knock chelsea out oh pleaseeeeeee

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  15. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    #gottawinyourgroup

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    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Barca and Bayern did and look won they drew

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      1. HVT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        2 average pl sides.

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        1. Snikiii
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          average..... haters gonna hate

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  16. Kvelertak
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Predicted new manager for Spurs? Surely its gotta be a big name, but not many free on the market really..
    Im hoping for Solskjær.

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    1. Scottys Army
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Who will be mad enough though

      No manager gets time there

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      1. Kvelertak
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Very true. A fresh manager like Solskjær could get a rough time..

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      2. stilicho
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Getting boring now...

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    2. copps
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Solskjaer would be too much of a punt

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      1. Kvelertak
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        It would, but they seem to love punts.

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    3. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Hiddink

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

      Not that many good ones to "pick" from right now, is there? Solskjær returning to the PL would be SO much fun! Seems far-fetched though 🙂

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      1. Kvelertak
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Well not really, every time someone gets sacked, he gets mentioned. But Spurs might be a bit too high for him right now, WBA seems more likely.

        Would love him to pick up after Moyes. Probably not gonna be for a long, long time tho, Moyes is here to stay.

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    5. _nod
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      SAF out of retirement! ; )

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    6. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Di Matteo

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        +1

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      2. Scottys Army
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        crap manager

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    7. Darsh
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Capello

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      1. Kvelertak
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Good shout. Could be a good move.

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        1. Darsh
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          He was at the game yesterday.

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          1. Kvelertak
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Interesting. Spurs could be a real contender for a CL spot if he sorts them out. Lots of talent.

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  17. Caine & Co.
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    arsenal will win ucl

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    1. FISSH
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      stop sniffing

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    2. Kvelertak
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      No chance

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  18. Sess!
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Quality CL draw. I think City will do barca.

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I can see it too.

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    2. _nod
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      City have to be happy with a home draw, whoever it is against!

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      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        I can't tell if you're on a wind up. You do realise it's two legs.

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        1. _nod
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Haha. I should be banned from FFS while at work! Brain can't multi-task!

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Copps first with the breaking news.

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      1. copps
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        always! 😉

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    2. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Whooosh

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    3. marco_atk85
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I had a bet on AVB 3/1 next manager to be sacked. F.king WBA board couldn't wait for 2 more days.

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    4. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Damn you beat me to it! 😀

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  19. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal gotta do better in the first leg this time

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    1. Notorious
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Arsenal gotta do better in the group stage 🙁

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Weirdly they done brilliantly in the group stage. They will probably do worse in future group stages and come top.

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        1. Notorious
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Ues, we got great results in a real death group but I'm still angry about the last match. All we needed was a draw.

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  20. boc610
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    has being bad at maths ever proved more costly?? 🙂

    #goodbyeCity

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  21. Smarty Pants
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Poor Bayern, they are in trouble

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    1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      :):

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    2. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      *snigger*

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  22. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Last year Bayern beat arsenal at 16 Round ??

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  23. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Laugh at me but we are going to beat Bayern.

    Rohn ... With Me ?

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    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      We beat them 2-0 in their own house already!!

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    2. copps
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah this Bayern team is not a patch on the quality of Arsenal...

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  24. Scottys Army
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB for west borm

    ?????

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    1. Scottys Army
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      brom

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    2. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah and they have the money to stick a bid in for bale too.

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  25. FACUPARSE
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    It was Franco Baldini and Levi's fault for AVB being sacked.

    They were all Baldini's signings

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

      Where has that been confirmed?

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      1. Scottys Army
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Its FACT

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

          based on?

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          1. Scottys Army
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            sporting director gets final say on players

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

              He doesn't make up the shopping list neccassarily.

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    2. De_Roiste
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      How do you know?

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  26. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone wanting to put money on the winning CL sides from the draw:

    Man City
    Man Utd
    Athletico
    PSG
    Chelsea
    Real Madrid
    Dortmund
    Bayern

    Confirmed by DJ Campbell

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    1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      T.Henry told me Athletico will win it.

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    2. De_Roiste
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Surely there will be an upset in there somewhere. I think City will beat Barca, so I don't see that as an upset!

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  27. Crash
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Does it make sense to go for anyone else apart from Rooney as an aguero replacement? I know he played deep, but still had a couple of decent chances.

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      If you fancy someone different, yes.

      Negredo, Lukaku...

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  28. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero is only a yellow arrow and 50% on FPL.

    He looked a definite not starter for a few weeks on Saturday .....

    Any prognosis ?

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    1. De_Roiste
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Scan today seemingly.

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  29. Mikei
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Kun, Lukaku, Suarez...Kun out, who in? Negredo or Rooney?

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    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Rooney

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