634x258 Dugout Discussion
24 June 2014 3134 comments
Paul Paul
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We’ve another four matches to look forward to this evening as the group stages continue to wrap up. England, of course, already know their fate after losing both opening matches, whilst tonight’s opponents Costa Rica are through to the knockouts after serving up back-to-back wins over Uruguay and Italy to stun the football world:

Costa Rica: Navas; Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Miller, Diaz; Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Brenes; Campbell

England: Foster; Jones, Cahill, Smalling, Shaw; Lampard, Wilshere; Milner, Barkley Lallana; Sturridge

The Costa Ricans make two changes from the side that defeated Italy last week. At the back, Jorge Luis Pinto brings in Roy Miller for Michael Umana, whilst further up the pitch, Christian Bolanos drops out for Randall Brenes in what looks a continuation of the 5-4-1 formation which has proven so successful.

As announced yesterday, Roy Hodgson makes nine changes from the team that lost to Uruguay as England attempt to avoid the ignominy of finishing rock-bottom of Group D. Only Daniel Sturridge and Gary Cahill keep their places for the Three Lions as Hodgson hands his squad members the chance to impress.

Uruguay: Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Pereira; Rodriguez, Arevalo Rios, Gonzalez; Lodeiro; Suarez,Cavani,

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Pirlo, Verratti, Marchisio, Darmian; Balotelli, Immobile

Uruguay are unchanged from the side that beat England 2-1 last week. Oscar Tabarez’ side will line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation once again, with Nicolas Lodeiro tucked in behind Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, as the latter looks to replicate his match-winning brace against Hodgson’s side and fire his team into the last 16.

Cesare Prandelli’s side need only a draw against the South Americans to secure second spot. The Italians make four changes from their Matchday two loss to Costa Rica and bring in Mattia De Sciglio, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile in what seems to be a 3-5-2 formation, with the latter partnering Mario Balotelli up top.

In the 9pm matches, Columbia look to finish Group C with a 100% record. The South Americans will be hoping James Rodriguez can maintain the form that has seen him score in each of his first two appearances, while Juan Cuadrado (three assists) and Teofilo Gutierrez (a goal and assist) also carry a major threat against Japan – Fantasy managers will be hoping that reports of rest and rotation turn out to be inaccurate.

The other game in Group C sees Ivory Coast square up to a Greece side that failed to find the net in their opening two matches. While a draw may well be enough for the Africans to progress, Sabri Lamouchi’s men will want to serve up a strong display after narrowly losing to the Colombians in Matchday 2 – Gervinho has notched in both their games so far and is the one guaranteed starter in the front three, though Lamouchi could turn to the experience of Didier Drogba to lead the line this time, having utilised the former Chelsea man as a sub in the first couple of matches.

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  1. Saniul
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Start voting for Cuadrado MOTM, buggers. 😉

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    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Happy days Captain 😉

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  2. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Does the player who got fouled get an assist like FPL?

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    1. PKB
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Nah!

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  3. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Karnezis wants to stay on but Gekas is warming up and looks likely to come on 🙁

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    1. Atwood
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Haha...I can't believe he's not gonna beat Cesar's 3 for me

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Good.

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  4. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Cillesen - check
    Cuadrado - check
    Neymar (c) - check

    Now only 8 more needed, will be a big task tough.
    Evra & Rojo propably rested and Von Bergen injured 🙁

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    1. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I have them all except Von Bergen.

      Evra rested you think ?

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      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        He was booked in first game, so that why I think/am afraid so.

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  5. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Eurgh typical re cuadrado and James Rodriguez.

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  6. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    (C)uadrado on his way to 16pts...

    C'mon son...

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  7. Willis.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Benched Navas again. 🙁

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    1. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Same. 🙁

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  8. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    KevinKeegan@GalacticKeegan.
    Years ago I was at a Liverpool post-season party ; the lad Suarez was all over the buffet.
    The look he gave me when I picked up a pork pie...

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  9. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Is Karnezis off?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Not yet

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    2. Saniul
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Played him, did'ya?

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      1. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        He's my first GK to play!

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        1. Saniul
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Who d'ya have?

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          1. iCon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            MBohli and Duada to come; I'd rather Karnezis stays on though tbh!

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            1. Saniul
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Ah, let the other two shine now.

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              1. iCon
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Nah, just one of the other two 😉

                Happy Cuadrado started; thrilled he's on pens!

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    3. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Still on, but Gekas was warming up. Have a feeling they might switch keepers at HT 🙁

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    4. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He is now

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  10. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Why is Jrod on the bench anyone? Is he gonna come off the bench???

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    1. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Lol.

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    2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Rested.
      Impossible to say. None of us are Mr. Pekerman.

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      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Are you sure....

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    3. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Rested.

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    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Dropped.

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      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        C'mon, it's an honest question 😉

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  11. JT's Dog
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Honda isn't getting out of 1st gear

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      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        🙂

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      2. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        😀

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    • Saniul
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Cuadrado with a blocked shot.
      😆

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      1. Heydudes13
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        This is torture!

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      2. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe I shouldve swapped the (c) from Neymar to Cuadrado 😆

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        1. Heydudes13
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Oh of course you have him! 😡

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          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            😀

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    • Atwood
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Down to my third keeper and he doesn't even start. Knew I should've picked Mbolhi...

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    • Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Karnezis off for Gekas. 23 mins in.

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      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Glykos... where the hell am I getting Gekas from? 🙄

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        1. Konig Luther
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          gekas isn't forward?

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          1. Bøwstring The Carp
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Ah that's right! 😀

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    • SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Karnezis subbed

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    • Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Karnezis off!

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    • Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I think I saw someone pondering Cillesen (8 points) => Karnezis swap, I wonder if he did it.

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      1. Lord Dragon
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I did 🙁

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    • Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Karnezis gone.

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    • VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      karnezis subbed now cuadrado just needs to get taken out by someone and I will be happy

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    • Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      guys kanezis my only gk, if greece clean sheet do i get points... this fooked me up now this bs -_-

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      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        no

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      2. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        'fraid not mate

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      3. Atwood
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Nope. I can't believe it either mate, took out Cesar thinking he'd get atleast 3 points.

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      4. The Sarjeant
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Why would you get any points?

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        1. Shels
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          cause mcronalds wrote the rules 🙂

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    • Saniul
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Cuadrado starts, and now Karnezis is off?
      AM I DREAMING?

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      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        It's winter-fall
        Read skies are gleaming, oh
        Sea-gulls are flyin' over
        Swans are floatin' by
        Smoking chimney-tops
        Am I dreaming
        Am I dreaming...?

        The nights draw in
        There's a silky moon up in the sky, yeah
        Children are fantasizing
        Grown-ups are standin' by
        What a super feeling
        Am I dreaming
        Am I dreaming...?
        Woh-woh-woh-woh

        (Dreaming) So quiet and peaceful
        (Dreaming) Tranquil and blissful
        (Dreaming) There's a kind of magic in the air
        (Dreaming) What a truly magnificent view
        (Dreaming) A breathtaking scene
        With the dreams of the world
        In the palm of your hand

        (Dreaming) A cozy fireside chat
        (Dreaming) A little this, a little that
        (Dreaming) Sound of merry laughter skippin' by
        (Dreaming) Gentle rain beatin' on my face
        (Dreaming) What an extraordinary place!
        And the dream of the child
        Is the hope of the, hope of the man

        It's all so beautiful
        Like a landscape painting in the sky, yeah
        Mountains are zoomin' higher, uh
        Little girls scream an' cry
        My world is spinnin' and spinnin' and spinnin'
        It's unbelievable
        Sends me reeling
        Am I dreaming
        Am I dreaming...?

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      2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Not unless you type in your sleep.

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    • Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Haghigi/ Mbolhi now is your chance to shine.

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    • Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      jrod on bench fooksakis karagoonis, tits up my rank is going

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    • The Sarjeant
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      J. Rod - bench.
      Zapata - bench.
      Karnezis - off.

      No more players playing :(.

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      1. The Hound
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Dammit

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      2. Shels
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        🙁 sorry

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      3. tm245
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I wish I could help but my team is in meltdown.

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    • tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Zepinho, you can bench the rest of your starters for this round. I played suarez balotelli yoshida and bony today...

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    • Saint Domingo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      HAGHIGI please go nuts tomorrow,you are my only hope 🙂

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    • Coaly
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Why is Zapata not playing?

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Dropped

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    • Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      The beard to the rescue my only keeper left 🙂

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I think he will do well.

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        1. Studgie G
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          hope so I think they can keep russia out, cesar has absolutely killed me that extra 2.5 would have been helpful in other positions

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    • Atwood
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm out and don't wanna risk McD's on my phone. Does Karnezis atleast get 1point?

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      1. shazzaaam
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        😆

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