Dugout Discussion
26 February 2012 2162 comments
Akers Akers
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Three games wrap up Gameweek 26 today, before Liverpool and Cardiff square off at Wembley. The Dugout Discussion opens for the Premier League games, but will stay open until the Carling Cup is handed to the winning captain.

We start with the televised North London derby, as Harry’s Spurs look to reign supreme over their arch rivals. The Champions are also in action, making their trip to Carrow Road to face all-but-safe Norwich City. The team sheets from both games are in, and are as follows…

Arsenal XI: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Rosicky, Song, Walcott, Benayoun, van Persie.

Spurs XI: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar, Parker, Modric, Bale, Saha, Adebayor.

Yossi Benyaoun starts at the expense of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the home side, and Laurent Koscielny comes through a fitness test to play. As for the visitors, Louis Saha retains his starting role, which keeps Rafael Van der Vaart on the substitute bench. He partners Emmanuel Adebayor up front, who once again faces his former club.

Norwich XI: Ruddy, Naughton, Ward, Whitbread, Drury, Pilkington, Fox, Johnson, Surnam, Holt, Jackson.

Man United XI: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Welbeck, Hernandez.

For the Canaries, Simeon Jackson gets the nod ahead of Steve Morison, and Zak Whitbred is passed fit for the game. Looking to bounce back from midweek defeat, Sir Alex makes eight changes to his starting line-up. It includes Ryan Giggs, who makes his 900th club appearance today.

Before the final whistle blows in those games, Stoke host Swansea in the last game of the week. The Dugout Discussion is open, and can be accessed right here.

Akers Richard or Akers, as he is known, has been regularly haunting this site since July 2008. He is young and foolish, take what he says with a pinch of salt. Follow them on Twitter

  1. COMH
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Scholes & Giggs. Living legends of the game. 900th appearance and scoring match winning goals to keep them right in the title race. Take a bow son.

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    1. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      +1. Really cheered up. The 35pts I am on can feck themselves, glad we got out of jail again.

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      1. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        +1

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    2. Sarnab
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      yeah.

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  2. Bungalow Bill
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Giggs scores a late winner in classic style
    Parker red, he's suspended for next week
    Great couple of minutes for United

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  3. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Ah Giggs!!! Assist????

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    1. hvsauce
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      young

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    2. DLL18
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Young I think

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    3. udit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Young.

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  4. markus808
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Manchester United
    Scholes 7’
    Giggs 90’

    CLASSIC!

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  5. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Giggs& Scholes on the scoresheet..Turn back the Clock..

    When did it happen last time??

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    1. Sarnab
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      giggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggssssssssssssss

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  6. paul ince
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    It would have to be that scumbag to score.

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    1. King Eric, in America
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      😆

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  7. halnone
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    F%ck off Norwich

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  8. Holy See
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Giggs & Scholes. Seriously, what bloody year is this again?

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  9. Chazza
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Massive 3 points for United. Norwich definitely deserved a point. Giggs deserved that goal for a Man of the Match performance.

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  10. Arse Craic
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Sagna has been amazing. He was sorely missed...
    Come on Arsenal !!

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  11. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    1-0 Stoke

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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Upson i think

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      1. Call Me Old Fashioned
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        ethers assist

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  12. sotothemightygreek
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Just knew United would get a winner. And I'm not even watching the game. Typical.

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    1. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      It was because I switched my stream off

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  13. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    One more goal. Come onnnn. Either Bale or RVP would do me 😀

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

    Not sure who I want to lose the Carling Cup Final more - Liverpool with the only manager in the country who manages to make SAF seem balanced and impartial when discussing his team or Cardiff who were the only team to travel to SJP in our Championship team and bring moronic fans looking to start trouble.

    Can they both lose it please?

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  15. Declan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    I hope Ian Wright rams that victory down Glenn Hoddles smugg throat.

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  16. Cruicky
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    No Parker for next week, Rooney returning.

    Massive day in the title race. I love football.

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  17. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Norwich definitely deserved a point there.

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    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      same as the reverse fixture. the old boys finished their dinner though

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  18. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    That why we are in for the title year after year..

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  19. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    I am tired of my team, I'm gonna use my WC for GW 28! 😛

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  20. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Upson goal, Swans CS gone 🙁

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  21. DVassell
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    any idea what's happened to vorm?

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    1. hvsauce
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      he's sick i think

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    2. paul ince
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      He's out with a virus apparently.

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    3. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      He's got piles, makes it very difficult.

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    4. Sarnab
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Diarrhea

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  22. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Yoooohoooo Swansea CS gone. 😛

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    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      +1000000

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    2. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      😀

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  23. COMH
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    And my rival has Chris Smalling coming off the bench with a minute to go to prevent him getting the Kelly CS. Beautiful.

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    1. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      It's the little things...

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    2. Spike ⚽️
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Makes your day that sort of luck !!

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  24. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    to play bale next week or not, that is the question

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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Definitely

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    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Allways play Bale imo

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  25. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Baps:

    Walcott 3
    Sagna 2..surely

    no clue who gets 1...

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    1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Van Persie maybe ......

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      1. Djerbil
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        too many shots off target..We will see...Rosicky will have good stats..

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    2. Mr Smith
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      VP

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    3. Jukesy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Song/RVP

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    4. Fancy Feet
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Why Sagna, RVP got a goal and assist and Sagna got 2 assists and conceded 2 goals

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      1. Djerbil
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Sagna scored a goal..

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      2. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        At least 3 off target. As we know the system that will hurt him

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    5. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Adebayor might get 1 BP. Goal & assist

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    6. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      walcott 3
      sagna, rosicky, song, rvp and adebayor fighting for the rest

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  26. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Upson, are you f*cking kidding me!? Of all the defenders for my rival to have transferred in this week. F*cking unbelievable.

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Never mind that! I have Etherington!!! 😀

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      1. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Oh quiet you 😉

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  27. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Very pleased for Arsenal - and Arsene! 🙂

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    1. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      You were saying come on Spurs earlier?

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Well ... I have three of them, and two of Arsenal. What the Hell! 😀

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  28. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Oh, what fun it is to see United win away! 🙂

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  29. Scratch
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Well this gameweek went south very quickly. Evans booked, neither keeper on the teamsheet, RVP booked, United concede 😐

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    1. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      just saw you had same keeper combo as me

      if stoke keep cleanie it will be painful

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  30. gledy
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Is Persie suspended for the next game?

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    1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      No, why should he be?

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      1. gledy
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        5 yellow cards?

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        1. Djerbil
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          no..u need 10 after Christmas..

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          1. gledy
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            Hmmm you might be right yeah!

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        2. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          It's 10 needed now which is then a two game ban

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          1. gledy
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            Yeah he won't reach that, so no problem 🙂

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