Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 25

A few seasons back I mentioned, or tapped out, the term “vanity transfer”, referring to a Fantasy Football trade that wasn’t designed to fill the void left by injury or repair the damage of a player dropped or suffering rotation. Instead, such a move gave us Fantasy managers the option of almost bringing in a player for the sake of it – to follow a hunch without any real risk but with the chance of plentiful rewards. It’s an indulgent transfer, without any real purpose.

From the depths of a forgettable season, somehow I’m sitting here this morning pondering my own vanity transfer. Rickie Lambert is not a player I have to bring in – I may just reserve my trade and opt to keep Wilfried Bony in my lineup, perhaps in hope that the new regime at the Liberty will revive the dying Swans and bring me some belated returns. The urge to bring in Lambert is strong, however.

The Saints stalwart is a player I’ve long admired but not often invested in. It remains a mystery why he’s failed to find a place in my squad – even when he’s proved, with some consistency, to offer strong value as a striker option.

This morning, I’m wondering if I’m letting this sway my decision. Whether I’m being drawn to Lambert, not because he’s the right trade but because I’m harbouring some odd notion that I should show some faith in the Southampton man for failing to back him before now.

Certainly Lambert’s prospects look decent. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are oozing class and confidence, with Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana central cogs in a string of impressive attacking showings. Lambert came away with a goal and a pair of assists in the win at Fulham, however and, with spot-kicks and set-plays, he’s almost guaranteed to be amongst things should the Saints turn over Stoke at St Mary’s as expected.

Although he has been benched on some occasions against the big sides – Chelsea and Man City being recent cases – with fixtures looking kind in the coming weeks, Lambert would seem certain to maintain a run of starts and continue to reap the rewards from the tireless leg work of Lallana and Rodriguez.

There’s the logic, then. It’s a convincing case but maybe not quite enough to warrant a transfer than can only really be described as a luxury. For once I’ve no fire to fight, no urgent gap to fill or problem to resolve. I can sit back and wallow in the extravagance of carrying out a transfer because I genuinely believe it will add to my Gameweek tally. It feels new and exciting – when was the last time that was written in the same sentence as Rickie Lambert?

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

1,820 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    ML leader has captained Suarez over RvP!

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    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Scenes!

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    2. Fantasy is My Ball and Chai…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      no duh

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    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ok

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    4. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Solid choice

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    5. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Bad move IMO.

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  2. Elwood
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So the hopeful take of injury and RCs start. Really starts to drag the place down.

    Try thinking glass half full and how many points you'll get. 😉

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    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      * talk

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  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Top 50 Overall Captains

    Suarez 17
    RVP 13
    Hazard 5
    Rooney 5
    Sturridge 2
    Dzeko 2
    AJ 2
    Ozil 1
    Benteke 1
    Mata 1
    Yaya 1

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    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ozil !!

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      lol @ the ozil captainer

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      1. FACUPARSE
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Could work out fine... Lols could be on you

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      2. FPL Player
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        You can't argue with them. They are doing excellent this year

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    3. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Excellent

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Variety ftw.

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          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Great for FPL. 🙂

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    4. Mull
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I want the guy who capatained Benteke to win FPL. Massive amount of flair.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Aye, he must be a ledge

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    5. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wow. Third go for Suarez.

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    6. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      wouldve thought more for haz and mata

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    7. Seamy
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Was expecting a sneaky Lallana captain from someone

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    8. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      How did some of these guys get in to top 50.

      5 Rooney 😆
      1 Ozil [bigger] 😆
      1 Bentek [big] 😆

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    9. Bridge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Oh dear, only one Mata (c). Already regretting my decision!

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    10. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Oh crap, I did Yaya...

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    11. Dier Straits
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ozil... Dropped him this week, surprised someone would C him with current form/matchup

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  4. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Please score big Suarez. Please please please! Rival took the bait

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  5. FACUPARSE
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    My minileague rival brought in Dzeko (copied me) and captained Lallana.

    I captained Rooney and have a better team. Surely pts gained on him

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    1. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds like you are trying to tell yourself that. & don't call me Shirley

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      1. FACUPARSE
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Rooney is a better choice. I own Lallana and now hope he is quiet

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    2. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Rooney captain is a massive risk.

      1. He has looked poor since returning from injury
      2. Moyes does not a clue how to fit RVP, Mata and Rooney in to the team together
      3. A large proportion of Rooney's points came from set pieces and now has competition from Mata and RVP to take them.

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      1. FACUPARSE
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        He's played a game and 20 mins.

        he's at home against an awful team.

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        1. RabMac
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I wouldn't touch Rooney just now as there are better options from Man Utd for this weeks match.

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  6. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Good luck everyone. GO GUNNERS

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  7. Zombie
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Good luck gents!!!

    Going out for 'The Lego Movie'...Heard it's amazing

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  8. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    At last...rival stuck with Suarez C..I've gone RVP C..mmm...50/50 but at least it's a hope.

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      You're in the money Wakey. 🙂 Or at least you'll know by half 2ish when Suarez has blanked/exploded. 😉

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Oh I dunno..Suarez is a class act (wrong word) but this is one of the few chances to captain somebody else...Had to be done for anybody playing catch up, my rival is about 200th overall so it's desperate measures time.

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  9. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Just 4 minutes until I get to see Merson's drunken face. I can't wait.

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  10. Wavey Wambz
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Imagine the scenes if Suarez pulls a Tottenham vs Arsenal. No regrets doing rounds.

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  11. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Can't find anyone to use all my WC Metro transfers on. 🙁

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    1. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Madness as Ozil rarely produces away from home.

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hope it works for him.

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      it's a different line up from the week before too! confused.

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    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      What a punt.

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        That's not a nice thing to say.

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    4. Dier Straits
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking some drinking and favorite team bias had something to do with it. If he hits the jackpot on that amazing call.

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  12. No Arsene Around
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    isn't Suarez one yellow away from suspension?

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No ten yellows needed now.

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

      Threshold is now 10

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No. The limit's 10 now.

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    4. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wut?

      Only 4 YC

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  13. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who do you think should win this? Team A or Team B?

    A: Boruc + Dawson + Coleman + Yaya + Lallana + Colback + Rooney + Giroud + Suarez
    VS
    B: Mannone + Azpili + Ward + Silva + JRod + Puncheon + Mata + Hazard + Sturridge

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Just enjoy the games. 🙂

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        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        yeah, time will tell. just wait and see and enjoy the football!

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    2. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Just wanted to hear your thoughts 🙁

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Ask tomorrow with less games.

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    3. Dier Straits
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      About as even as it gets, slight edge to B I think.

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    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ouch..4 touches in the penalty area last week between the entire Villa team...52 for Norwich...Hope they play better this week.

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    2. Dier Straits
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Solid all over, only problem would be pt sharing among same team players.

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  14. ...---...
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Bookmakers aren't stupid folks. They're not offering Arsenal @ 12/5 because they think they're going to walk all over Liverpool.

    SAS FTW!!

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    1. Kostja
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Bookmakers odds are largely affected by what people think Odds are lower for the side that people prefer to bet on. So if early trends suggest people think arsenal will win than they lower arsenal odds and raise LIV odds. Cause they dont want to gamble, want to get equal amount on both sides and just collect the juice.

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  15. The Light Knight
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I'm currently just inside the top 50% of OR. My aim for this GW is to make it inside the top 49%

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    1. Mull
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I've got a better rank than someone on FFS 😯

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A reasonable ambition Light Knight, good luck with it.

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

      Don't stretch yourself anyway!

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

    Worrying times for Chelsea today if Terry isn't on the bench..

    Wayne Bridge knows what i'm talking about

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      what happened?

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

        No idea

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      2. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Can u please rephrase it for Bemba again? He doesnt think he is a wife shagger

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    2. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Can't believe Martin Lipton said its "bright news for Alan" 😆

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      😆

      Lock your wives up!

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    4. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Where is Giggsy at?

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    5. No Arsene Around
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      he might make headlines for a non-soccer related reason?

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  17. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    SAS all the way, baby. I'm not worried...

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I am.

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      1. Tony Warner Fan Club
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Me too 🙁

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  18. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Top 5 in my ML's captain choices:

    JRod (STK)
    RVP (FUL)
    Hazard (NEW)
    Dzeko (nor) (me)
    Hazard (NEW)

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  19. GlasgowFF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hoping for a nil niil in the Liverpool Arsenal game.

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    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      not gonna happen

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    2. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm hoping 1 - 0 Liverpool with Suarez to get either goal or assist.

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  20. Jax
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    forca put in terry...

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/241/event-history/25/

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      😆

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ouch

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    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      *heads over to tfpl for reaction

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  21. Scottys Army
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Benteke (C)

    Good luck skipper

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  22. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    First week owning YaYa ever. Still doesn't sit right with me.

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    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      yeah me too. just know he'll do nowt in a 8-0 win.

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    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Me three.

      Cue a string of blanks. 😉

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  23. ktk_interista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Laudrap has been sacked?

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    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      no sh it.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        *sherlock

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    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      How is the cave looking? Got any furniture yet?

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    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      In other news a large ship known as the titanic has reported to have hit an iceberg. More news to come

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    4. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No, he hasn't been re-hired yet.

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  24. GlasgowFF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Really want the SAS to blank, sick of hearing all this drivel about how having Suarez and Sturridge is "not really doubling up"!

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    1. Whitman2013
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      you can see why people say that though they are explosive.

      and i do too !! 😛

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  25. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Mega weather meant to be hitting Anfield around KO 😯

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    1. GlasgowFF
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      cool. I still have a wildcard so want a big juicy double game week to use it on.

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      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Doubt it will be cancelled but could be chaos...

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    2. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      What is Mega weather? 😉

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      1. No Arsene Around
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        checked the rain radar, doesn't look that bad, scattered showers about it

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      2. Whitman2013
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        think it means Barbados heat ...

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Just another typical English day, innit? 😉

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    4. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm only 30 miles away..getting very, very windy.

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      1. No Arsene Around
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Breakfast Fibre kicking in....

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    5. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      so? won't be called off.

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  26. Whitman2013
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    how frustrating...
    i put rvp in this week as my captain in an attempt to close the 39 points in my league, my main league rival only did the same.

    i am now hoping soton concede.... although i doubt they will.

    any consoling words?

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    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      There's always next year.

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    2. Mull
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ignore your rival and play the game normally. You'll easily close down 39 points if you plan for the DGWs effectively.

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      1. Whitman2013
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        true! 🙂 how do we do that? have 3 man u/city in on the bench for 28?

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        1. Whitman2013
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          p.s thanks guys 🙂

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        2. Mull
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Not really looked yet but DGWs are the easiest way to make back points.

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    3. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      dry your eyes

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  27. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Bony(C) here 🙁

    I think i have bottled it again 🙁

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    1. Adnan Shah
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Why you always try stupid punts when better options are available even as differential.

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      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Hey BB 🙂

        You quit playing Hax ? 🙁

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  28. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Wow its gone quiet on here

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    1. Cooper123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Calm before the storm

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