[sbu_large_image] Team News
15 February 2014 1770 comments
Paul Paul
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With a weekend of FA Cup action getting underway later today, Fantasy managers still have plenty to ponder. Santi Cazorla misses out for Arsenal, John Terry is still sidelined for Chelsea, Michu may return for Swansea, Samir Nasri is back for City, whilst Roberto Martinez admits he’s keen to be cautious with Ross Barkley’s fitness. Here’s what yesterday’s press conferences brought us:

Arsene Wenger will be without the services of Santi Cazorla for Sunday’s home clash with Liverpool. The Spaniard is ruled out through illness as the Gunners look to avenge last weekend’s 5-1 hiding at Anfield. Wenger welcomes Mathieu Flamini back from suspension, though, but admitted he may not make too many changes from the side that drew with United on Wednesday evening:

“I will play a team with a good opportunity, a good chance to qualify. Will I rest one player, or two or three, I don’t know yet. Certainly we will have just have one focus, which is to win the game. We have rotated quite well, if you look at the number of players we have used. I have the same level of confidence in every player. For example, I rate Jenkinson but Sagna has a bit more experience so when we go in a game with more pressure I give the advantage sometimes to the experienced [player].”

Jordan Henderson may miss out for Liverpool after undergoing wrist surgery, with a late decision expected to be taken on the midfielder’s availability. Brendan Rodgers reckons Glen Johnson could remain sidelined for the Emirates trip. The right-back returned to training over the last few days and his manager is optimistic he could be in the frame for next weekend’s home clash against Swansea:

“We’ll be similar to what we were the other night [against Fulham]. Glen Johnson is working very well. I’m not sure he’ll be ready for the game this weekend, but if we can have a good week next week he’ll be very close. He looks fresher and he looks fitter. That period that he’s had out has really helped him. He’s in good condition. But there is still a bit to go yet.”

Samir Nasri and Javi Garcia are back in the City squad for this evening’s visit of Chelsea. Manuel Pellegrini has admitted Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Matija Nastasic are all still sidelined through injury before proceeding to hail Nasri’s return as crucial:

“Nasri is a very important player, so it’s impossible not to miss him. But we’ve also had other injuries before Sami, with David Silva, Sergio Aguero or Jovetic or Kompany and we always managed to continue winning. I think in the last two weeks, maybe we have injuries in the same position and that was our major problem.”

John Terry misses out yet again as Chelsea make their way to the Etihad. Jose Mourinho confirmed his captain is sidelined for the third successive match due to a muscle problem, whilst his worries in central defence are building – Gary Cahill was due for scans on the calf complaint he picked up during the midweek draw at West Brom.

Gus Poyet may be set to welcome back Carlos Cuellar from a hip injury as Sunderland prepare to face Southampton. The Black Cats boss has confirmed his intentions to play Emmanuel Giaccherini and new boy Ignacio Scocco but also revealed the cancellation of Wednesday’s trip to City has had a significant effect on his likely line-up:

“The postponement changed my plans, no doubt. It’s a totally different situation now with no game midweek, so it will be a totally different team. Normally you don’t put out the same team on Saturday that you put out on Wednesday but we didn’t play a game Wednesday so I have to bear that in mind. It gives me a chance to name a stronger side than I would have but I will still make changes though. Giacchy needs to play football and we need to help Ignacio feel the pace of the English game. I’m sure he’ll be surprised at the speed – in the first 10 minutes he’ll be thinking ‘oh my god!’ – but he needs to get used to it and this is an opportunity for him.”

Roberto Martinez discussed the fitness of Lacina Traore and Ross Barkley ay Everton’s press conference yesterday. The Toffees manager confirmed the former is poised for his club debut after arriving on loan from Monaco last month before revealing he somewhat regrets rushing Barkley back into action after the youngster was sidelined with a toe injury:

“Lacina has been sharp in training and has surprised everyone in the medical department at how quickly he has got his fitness levels high for the competition. We have to make sure there is no risk for him to participate but, clearly, there is a good opportunity for him to be involved on Sunday in one way or another. …..I did bring [Barkley] back too early, especially for the game against Aston Villa. We need to make sure that now, he’s fully recovered and refreshed, and is ready to have a massive role between now and the end of the season. Ross is going to be vital for us in this final third, and we need to make sure we use him wisely and when he is 100 per cent.”

Swansea boss Garry Monk is hopeful of a return to action for Michu at Goodison. The Spaniard has failed to play since late December after undergoing ankle surgery and missed a couple of days’ training recently but has now stepped up his recovery:

“He was training today, so we’ll see how he feels. If he’s a possibility for the weekend, we will talk to the player. Maybe he will be involved on the weekend.”

Kenwyne Jones and Fabio are cup-tied for Cardiff’s home clash with holders Wigan. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are waiting to hear back from United for confirmation of Wilfried Zaha’s availability, though – the on-loan wide man was an unused sub for his parent club in the Swans’ win at Old Trafford last month. The Bluebirds boss hinted he may make some changes for the clash during yesterday’s press conference:

“It’s a chance for some players to come in and show they should be playing in the league and I do not go into any game hoping we lose.”

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  1. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Sunderland another blank in GW29?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      yep, liverpool too

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        if results stay the same of course

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      2. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        good many transfer in Sturridge already 🙂

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        1. Park the bus
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          This is silly logic, Liverpool have 2 games before then! Why would you wait on getting Sturridge just because of a blank further down the line?

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    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing confirmed

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      1. SMOOTH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        can it be midweek?

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  2. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Great game USA vs Russia.

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    1. Park the bus
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Enjoying it, miss staying up until 4am during my student years to watch NHL on channel 5!

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  3. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Is anyone else thinking about Bradley Johnson? Villa away GW28, Stoke at home GW29 and then bench fodder, £4.4m,

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  4. whoracle
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Man City v Chelsea due to be postponed? Any news?

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    1. SMOOTH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      no

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Why?

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      1. whoracle
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        just checkin' thanks guys

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  5. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    So draws this weekend will delay even further the answers for gw29? Or is there a replay slot already built into the schedule?

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Replays 25/26th Feb - midweek

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      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.

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  6. Wirtzle Gummidge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Currently my only striker for GW29 is Adebayor... away at Chelsea.

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Not if Chelsea beat Citeh

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  7. Wings Fan
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Wondered why Southampton were losing, looks at lineups: Hooiveld

    That explains it.

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  8. Wirtzle Gummidge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Oh Lambert 🙁

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  9. SpinyNorman [*_*]
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Lambert really doesn't want a replay!

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  10. Benteke10
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Lol lambert

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  11. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Sunderland winning, no YC for Cattermole, the World's gone mad. 🙂 Good job I didn't get a bet on.

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  12. SpinyNorman [*_*]
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Naughty Wickham.

    Classic case of player trying to prove himself.

    Just come back to Wednesday, lad 🙂 You've more than proved yourself at Hillsborough!

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  13. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    goialllll USAAAA

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    1. Walsh
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      What a feed by Kaner. YES!!!

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  14. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Marshall, Taylor, Caulker , Cala, Theophile-Catherine, Medel, Eikrem, Daehli, Berget, Zaha, Campbell.

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    1. SpinyNorman [*_*]
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      No Mata 😮

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      noone out again, interesting

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        He's just managing him coming back from injury carefully

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    3. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Burner rested boom

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Or dropped...

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        1. SuperOsçarBaby
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          who is Cala?

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          1. MJ6987
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Signed at the end of the window from Spain (Sevilla I think). Central defender, expected to nail down a place soon.

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  15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    feck off southampton

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  16. Benteke10
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Shaw, not one good ball in this half...

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      saving them for FPL

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  17. Wirtzle Gummidge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    So if Arsenal win?

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    1. Chu Young Ping Pong
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Pool blank whether Arsenal win or lose

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  18. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    There's going to be a lot of luck involved in GW29 based on which teams have the blanks and how many players you have in your team. I don't like it when luck comes in so much, same the other night with the postponements.

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      You can start planning a transfer strategy now and minimize the luck element. Even better if you have a WC. 🙂

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Not really enough weeks in between to react much. Fair point about WC although I would expect most to save it for the DGW rather than the blanks week.

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  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Liverpool blank 🙁

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  20. Rhinos
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Games confirmed for gw29;

    Norwich v Stoke
    West Brom v Man U
    Palace v Saints

    Lallana looking a very good option

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    1. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Did Lallana get injured, or did he just get taken off for tactical reasons

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      1. Rhinos
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        yep tactical, the tactical reason being he played like a bag of spanners

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    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Oh.. I have 2 United, 2 Saints, and 1 Palace to play.

      Too bad that one of them is Januzaj.

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    3. money face bandwagon
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Great. Currently have 6 players available

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  21. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    2-2

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  22. Wings Fan
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Excellent result for me. Already have 7 players available for GW29:

    Olsson
    Evans
    Ward
    Puncheon
    Mata
    Lallana
    J Rod

    And need to get rid of Mignolet anyway, so will more than likely get Boruc in to rotate with Mannone.

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    1. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      got 4 at the moment

      Boruc
      Lallana
      Ward
      Jedinak

      Planning to get in Mata and i also have 2FT to deal with these blanks

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    2. Wings Fan
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Although if Wigan beat Cardiff (can't see it happening myself) then may get Marshall

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      1. Rhinos
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        good to get so many players playing, the only problem being but saints do ok then ward and jedinak gonna get nada and vice versa

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    3. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      This is what I mean about luck!

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      1. Wings Fan
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Evans, Mata and Olsson were all put in already with GW29 in mind. Mixture of luck, and making your own luck.

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        1. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, bit of both. Definitely some luck though.

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          1. Wings Fan
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, swings and roundabouts. I could equally claim bad luck for only being able to field 9 players this GW because Puncheon, Ward, Coleman and Yaya's games got cancelled!

            Next few weeks are critical, and hopefully what separates the hardcore on here from their ML rivals.

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            1. MJ6987
              • 15 Years
              12 years, 1 month ago

              I only fielded 8. Another example of luck, or lack of!

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  23. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Another cup run for Sunderland.

    All extra games they don't need. I can see this catching up with them in the league now.

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  24. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    arses..no chance of the pool game bein rescheduled same week?

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      could happen

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    2. Rhinos
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      yep theres a chance because Liverpool dont have any European commitments, general consensus is its unlikely though, partly as uefa dont like anything clashing with the champions league

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  25. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Gotta feel bad for Gabbidon, he's played really well under Pulis. I honestly didn't think he'd be dropped.

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  26. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    How come you guys know that Liverpool wont play in the midweek of gw29? I dont think a Pool blank is confirmed just as yet!

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    1. In Bale We Trust
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking the same thing.

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    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      They're assuming the Sunderland game in GW29 won't now be re-arranged for the midweek - as you say nothing confirmed and it won't be until well into next week

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        what happened last season? were games re-arranged for mid-week?

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

        How can one 'assume' that? Many would sell Sturridge/Suarez by thinking that there is a blank neglecting the fact that the game can be played in midweek!

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    3. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      because the UCL hate it when the BPl is the same time as their fixtures

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      1. BuK II
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        This. Therefore it is *unlikely* it will be scheduled for midweek. Probably worth preparing what you'd do if Liverpool have a blank, especially if you have SASAS!

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    4. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      They could do and the same thing happened 2 seasons ago (last season they were all postponed to GW33). Uefa don't like league games going on the same nights as UCL games though.

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    5. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      It probably will be played that midweek.

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    6. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I hope it will be rescheduled to midweek.

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      1. Rhinos
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        i hope it doesnt, will be tough luck for all the people gloating bout getting sturridge in whilst those backing city were dealt a cruel blow

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    7. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool will beat arsenal anyway so still blank..

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Does that make any difference now?

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        1. Colonel Klink
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          And likely incorrect.

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        2. BuK II
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          No.

          Well, if Liverpool win then Arsenal v Soton' in GW29 is safe.

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          1. Rhinos
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Swansea not Southampton

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        3. Jimmers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          No. Actually as Pool/Sunderland is now affected now anyway, a Pool win tomorrow will at least mean Arsenal will play GW29 (v Swans)

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    8. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      So the consensus is to save transfers until the rescheduling is made? As a owner of SSS & Mannone,I'm a bit concerned

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, I think saving this week is the way to go

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      2. BuK II
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely. But make plan given you are v.likely to have at least 4 players out! I suspect it is 100% likely you'll be looking at 10 or less now whatever happens with the other games.

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

          Will definitely keep that in mind, no pressing issues to make a transfer this week so I'll save

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  27. onionbarje
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Secretly Southampton are rejoicing because they only have the BPL to worry abou and Sunderland are crying because the fixture congestion will ruin their season.

    But to be fair i would have thought Southampton would have put a full strength side out, considering they are safely in a mid-table position, unlikely to qualify for Europe, a cup run wouldn't really hurt them.

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

      Was just thinking this, I don't understand why Southampton didn't go for it. They have nothing of significance to play for in the league.

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    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      This was my point above, Barje.

      This same thing happened to Bolton the season they went down. They got to the semi final of the FA Cup but ended up having to play something horrible like 5 games in 15 days or something similar. Their squad just couldn't cope.

      I fear the same thing is going to happen to Sunderland. The last thing you need in a relegation battle os a fixture backlog and to have to go out and play 5 or 6 games in quick succession within a 2 week period.

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      1. Rhinos
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        maybe but the Birmingham fans i know all say they wouldnt swap their cup victory for a premier league place so good luck to Sunderland

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  28. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Putin is mad right now.

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Why? Has he tripled up on Pool and Sunderland?

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

        Nah, he can't get UFPL in Russia.

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  29. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    cheering chelsea so i can finally drop yoyo with 2 blanks

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Shouldnt it be the other way around?

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