634x258 Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 24

1 February 2014 1965 comments
Mark Mark
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Iā€™m partial to a flutter but Iā€™m hardly a seasoned gambler. Even so, I’m aware of the concept of ā€œchasing lossesā€ ā€“Ā I also know that any experienced punter will tell you that itā€™s a mugā€™s game.

Until Tuesday night, I wasnā€™t really sure just how this applied to Fantasy Football. How, when desperation kicks in, your better judgement can go out the window as you ignore the obvious option and search out the long shot.

Letā€™s face it, handing Wilfred Bony my Gameweek 23 armband was a travesty. I can and will point to the logic behind the decision ā€“ I can talk about about the Ivorianā€™s form, of Fulhamā€™s fragility. Even so, that doesnā€™t detract from the fact that, deep down, I knew that Luis Suarez would punish me.

As I mentioned in this weekā€™s ScoutCast, I stood for a full thirty seconds at my front door at 7.28, key in hand, ready to burst back in and correct my madness. Foolishly, I chose to turn and head to Tesco. Those pizzas might have been buy one, get one free but they cost me dearly.

Such outlandish decision-making is in stark contrast to the methods employed by our own Jonty ā€“ a Fantasy manager who has profited from backing the favourite. Jonty has reveled in his ā€œdullardā€ moniker and can point to an impressive ranking and a profitable Wildcard that has leftĀ evenĀ Hall of Fame legend, Evs, in his wake.

In Thursdayā€™s ScoutCast I was asked what Iā€™ve learned this season. Jontyā€™s campaign, coupled with my season-long failed quest to seek out effective differentials has taught me that my enthusiasm to look for the spectacular long ball, rather than settle for the sideways pass, has hurt me the most. Iā€™m constantly trying to be Glenn Hoddle and Jonty, pulling off his best Ray Wilkins impression, is making me look silly.

Iā€™d like to think Iā€™ve learned a lesson but, only this week, I was fully contemplating tossing four points into the air and backing Robin van Persie at Stoke. There I was, listening to Granville spelling out the obvious move ā€“ Edin Dzeko in for the injured Sergio Aguero to keep the City cover ā€“ and I was plotting another foolish 60-yard “Hail Mary”.

While this may disappoint those who listened in, I think Iā€™m going to have to rethink. I darenā€™t try another Hollywood pass for a while.

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

1,965 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. big oak
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    iv quit smoking 2 days ago so im not exactly taking logical deicision in life right now
    i woke up this morning to see aguero and cabaye out for nolan and benteke in...... for a hit........
    and 3.9mil to stare me in the eye all week along with that cigarette which i crave for!!!!!

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    1. bantamdave
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Better to screw up on Fpl than the ciggies. Well done with the 2 days, smoke free.

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    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      i quit smoking about 5 months ago.. Toughest thing ive ever done especially as all my friends smoke like crazy and i'm with em everyday. hang in there mate šŸ™‚

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      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        the first month is unbelievably tough. after that it improves.. now i dont even miss it as much(smoked for 8 years)

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        1. big oak
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          thanks for the support mate
          smoked for 14 years now tried couple of times before but now i have a positive feeling it will work

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  2. PGR
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    A) Aguero to Rooney (-4)
    B) Start Colback

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  3. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    This week only...

    A. Puncheon
    or
    B. Rooney -4

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      A

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  4. For Fuchs Sake
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Why the hell is the Tyne Weir derby not live instead of WH vs Swa?

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    1. Breadbin
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Don't knock it, we're in for a treat from the best league in the history of the world.

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  5. bantamdave
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Mark: "your better judgement can go out the window as you ignore the obvious option and search out the long shot.

    So in the face of all the Aguero -> Sturridge, Rvp et al, I decided upon Carroll leaving an injured Coleman on the bench carrying over a transfer to next week.

    So is Carroll or having no points hits this week the differential?

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  6. Always (C)ane
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Rvp or Sturridge?
    Already have mata suarez

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    1. Torres76
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Sturridge - great fixtures and no cancelled gameweek

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      1. Leelas legs 11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        +1

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    2. Rödallegabomb į“æį“®
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      RVP. So what if he has a blank? He has a DGW after.

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  7. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    A lovely preamble mark, I've avoided Dzeko and gone for JRod. Whoops !

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    1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Same.

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    2. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Had him for ages !
      Suarez , jrod , Ned
      šŸ™‚

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    3. Billy Ketsu
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I'm very tempted too. J.Rod tore Fulham to bits in the reverse game earlier this year, bagging a goal and an assist, and after seeing what AJ did to them a couple of weeks ago it's clear they can't deal with pace.

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  8. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Is Coleman definitely out?

    Just wondering if I should start him and make Ward first DF on the bench or just play Ward.

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    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I believe Martinez confirmed it

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  9. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    News for Gabbidon?

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  10. Liastro ā­ļø
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    On wildcard....

    Mannone Adrian
    XXXXX XXXXX Ward Chambers Bruce
    Silva Hazard Mata Lallana Puncheon
    Suarez XXXXX Sturridge

    19.6m left...please fill the gaps! Thanks!

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    1. PGR
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Adebayor, Azpi and Kosc

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    2. Torres76
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Azpi, ade, merta

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  11. FACUPARSE
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Play Marshall or Mannone????

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    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Marshall

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    2. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Marshall (h) to Nirwich - no brainer

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      1. FACUPARSE
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Newcastle with no Cabaye and Remy

        Playing both Ameobi's instead

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        1. HVT
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          It's a derby - trust me they will score.

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          1. FACUPARSE
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            0-3 Sunderland in same fixture last season

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    3. don parcheesi
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      marshall

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  12. thunder_mike
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Play?

    A) Marshall
    B) Mannone

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    1. PGR
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Marshmellow

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    2. FACUPARSE
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Snap

      I want to go Marshall but would mean doubling up on them šŸ™

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      1. thunder_mike
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Yep me too, having to play Burner with Coleman out and not wanting to play Ward.

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  13. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Good to go folks?

    http://i.imgur.com/ETIjvQ9.png

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    1. Godfather Bandit 42
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Lovely

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  14. palalmas
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Is Fabio ready for the Norwich match? I have £4,1M for a defender and allready have Palace cover..

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    1. hossuck
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      collins

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  15. Thomass
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Might bench Silva…

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Lol.

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      1. Thomass
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        I wanna play Jonjo

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    2. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Drinking from an early age is bad for you Tom.

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      1. Thomass
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        But I'm a swan is I want to play Shelveyy

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        1. Breadbin
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Are you from Swansea?

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          1. Thomass
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            Yes

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            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 10 months ago

              šŸ™‚

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    3. Pringle
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      For who if I might ask?

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      1. Thomass
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Jonjooooo

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        1. Pringle
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Do not

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  16. The EJJ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Is Aguero -> Negredo worth a 4 pt hit this week? Or should I just bench Aguero and rely on SAS?

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    1. Torres76
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Adebayor instead of Ageuro

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    2. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I took a hit to get 12.1 out of my team.

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    3. don parcheesi
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      definitely worth a hit, though I'd put a few others ahead of negredo. Tekkers, dzeko, ade... in no particular order (I went with Ade, for what its worth)

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    4. RabMac
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      If you see a striker who will score 4 points today and has nice fixtures then you should make the transfer. Not sure I would do Negredo though as there is uncertainty who will play from City and they have Chelsea this GW.

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  17. Torres76
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Which of the following players should I drop this week

    Lalaana - away to Fulham
    YaYa - home to Chelsea
    Hazard - away to city
    Eriksen - away to Hull
    Mata

    Adebayor - away to hull
    Sturrudge - away to west brom
    Suarez - away to west brom

    I am thinking drop hazard to bench. Who should I drop please?

    Thank you all

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    1. Breadbin
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Lallana, rubbish away from home.

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    2. citizen_kane
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Mata.

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  18. QPR expects... glory!
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Last two times I had terrible fixtures amongst my defenders and a conviction on a transfer for a hit I decided against paying pts.

    The players I would have transferred in both got clean sheets (one scored!) and BAP's whilst those I stick with got 1 or 0 pts.

    This week I have to play Azpi & Ward as I've no bench (Chester & Coleman) and have a good feeling about bringing in Jonny Evans for a hit.

    Waste of 4 pts or third time plucky gets lucky?

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  19. Ozils Twin
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Lost on a previous page:

    Should I bench oscar or januzaj this week?

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    1. Pringle
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Januzaj

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    2. Demelbrush
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      jan. by miles IMO. Chelsea could score you know...

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      1. Ozils Twin
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Indeed, city can't defend and no doubt oscar will remember how to score this week!

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  20. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Excited.

    WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALEEEEES šŸ™‚ !!!!!!!!

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Can't even beat Australia. šŸ˜†

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      1. Thomass
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        We beat you's down under! Remember in July…

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          With the help of other nations. šŸ˜€

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          1. Thomass
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            Technically most of the players were welsh! Sam leading from the front

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            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 10 months ago

              Most isn't Wales. Last encounter is more important. Move along. šŸ™‚

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      2. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Don't keep on TM šŸ™‚ !!!

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    2. RabMac
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I'm nervous as hell. lol

      Played my WC this week and made major changes to a team that was consistently performing well, without being outstanding. Just hoping I have not messed up my team :S

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  21. d1sable
    • Has Moderation Rights
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Always my fav article

    "Those pizzas might have been buy one, get one free but they cost me dearly"

    Hahah, love it.

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    1. stilicho
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Yep, very tidy line.

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  22. JayBomb
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    For next week

    A Yaya & Decko
    Or
    B Erikson & Negrado

    ????

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    1. Pringle
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      A

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  23. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Any idea what palace's defence will look like now dann has arrived?

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  24. Colin Hendry
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Right guys I really need some help with this do I need to change anyone?

    Marshall

    Koscielny Collins Shaw
    Cazorla Yaya Hazard Lallana Mata
    Suarez(c) Adebayor

    Adrian Azpilicueta Ward Naismith

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    1. Leelas legs 11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Good to go imo

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  25. Pringle
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Rate my eleven? 1-10

    Mannone
    Kosc Kolarov Evans
    Cazorla Mata Hazard Johnson
    Suarez(c) Sturridge Bony

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  26. BOSH
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Mark should rename it the Pre shambles

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  27. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    any suggestions for improvement of my wc team?

    boruc mannone
    coleman kos shaw ward fabio
    hazard mata silva AJ sterling
    suarez sturridge ade
    .4 in the bank

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      or dzeko over ade?

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      1. Thomass
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Ade

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    2. Thomass
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      FBio to Flanno.
      Check you mail

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      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        who's flanno?

        you got your point across with the first email.... the next ones were unnecessary

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        1. Thomass
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Meaning an Flanagan

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  28. PGR
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Start Colback or take a hit to bring in Rooney for Aguero?

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  29. pleccy
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    WC choice - Chambers or Yoshida??

    Can't decide!!!

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  30. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Come on Jrod lad. Bring home the points!

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