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. Kagawa-san-mia
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Did you jus see that ronaldo goal
    CLass pure class
    My fav player in the World !!

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    1. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      no, please describe it

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

        A back heel,well placed too lol

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

        Corner came in, ball broke away to an angle. Ronaldo back-heels with power into the far corner.

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  2. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Simpson owners - get emailing FPL to query where his assist is. They only review stuff like that if enough people query it.

    support@mail.fantasy.premierleague.com

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

      I thought they review all contentious assists/goals on a Monday morning before giving the baps?

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Yes, but they probably rely on feedback from players to work out what needs to be reviewed.

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    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Nah, I don't think emailing makes a blind bit of difference.

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

      I'll do it later today

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      1. Twelve years a slave
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        can you post a sample letter? too lazy to send one unless i can just copy and paste

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  3. Spike âš½ï¸
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    They might get lucky with a pen later when Stoke get tired at the back !!

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

    McIlroy - 3 down after 4 and 1 up at the turn.

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    1. Le Gooner
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Come on Lee

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  5. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    It always had to be the week that I take out Shotton that he started, got an assist and looks to be set up for a cleanie...........

    Oh well....

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    1. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      same here. i decided not to play him cause he always comes on for one point, better a played him over ekotto, fail
      thats fpl for you

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

    Does anyone have a theory why Ronaldo scored so many free-kicks for Man United but so few (if any) for Madrid?

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    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Different ball?

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      1. Kagawa-san-mia
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        maybe that too

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      2. Spike âš½ï¸
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Great answer !!

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

        When it comes to Biomechanics the difference in ball could be the answer.

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    2. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      ive been wondering myself
      to be honest i dont think he practises them as much as he did at united
      plus he doesnt take much with alonso on the pitch
      i dunno, any other thoughts ?

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    3. Abominable Snowy84
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      refs were bought in england. hence more frees

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    4. Hate that rotation
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      David Beckham syndrome. DB scored a decent percentage of free kicks at Utd. When he went to madrid, he scored very few.

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      1. 808Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        and here I thought you were going to relate number of underwear photoshoots with percentage of free kicks taken....

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    5. Samwise the Brave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I never really considered him a good free kick taker to begin with(utd fan btw). Most hit the wall or went over. Kinda like roberto carlos, scored 1 great freekick then everyone remebered it and was then allowed take free kicks for the rest of his career(in ronaldo's case it was 5 great free kicks but everyone remembers the portsmouth one

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      1. Kagawa-san-mia
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        and the arsenal Cl one
        there are quite a few actually

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        1. Samwise the Brave
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Not enough for the amount he took

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

    I have Caulker coming in from the bench Ahead of Shotton ðŸ™

    no luck but bad luck these days

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      You must have chosen to put Caulker ahead of Shotton on the subs bench. How is that luck?

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

      I'd argue that putting the away defender ahead of the home defender was bad decision making rather than luck. Though I have Taiwo on the pitch and Kelly 3rd sub ðŸ™

      At least Shotton is making it off my bench.

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  8. Daniyal
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    my both keepers sorenson and vorm not playing

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

      We live in a cruel world! 🙠What are the odds...

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  9. GordonGekko
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Played Soerensen against Swansea. Was thrilled with the decision - until I figured Begovic is playing instead. Now I have Vorms on the bench - which will give me 0 points instead of 6-7. How wonderful isn't it that BOTH my keepers are out on the same match ...

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

      gud to know that i'm not alone but i think i wont waste transfers on keepers n keep them although sorenson might not be regular now

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    2. 808Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      same exact thing happened to me ðŸ™

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

    Some of the most overpriced players in football history on show in the cup final

    Downing: £20M
    Henderson: £20M
    Carroll: £35M
    Johnson: £17.5M

    That's nearly £100M investment for a side thats on a par with Newcastle.

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

      to be fair u can't compare liverpool and newcastle, and im a newcastle supporter

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    2. Hate that rotation
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Andy carroll is actually the -£15m man. He still made them £15m profit so its okay.

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Can't believe anyone actually fell for Dalglish's theory on that!!

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

      They could have got Aguero for the Carroll money at the time!!

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    4. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Henderson , £20M well spent

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

        You're joking right??

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        1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          😆 ofcourse

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    5. 808Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I'm a huger liverpool fan and I am pissed off at the business investments that have been plaguing our side for some time. We FINALLY get rid of torres then spent that money on andy carrol and a bunch of over expensive plays for the skill they possess. Charlie Adam and jose enrique were the only people brought in imo that was actually close his price in worth. I really wish we would have gone after a tevez, dzeko, or someone of that caliper. Carroll is a disgrace up top. Hell give me dempsey and I'd be happy

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  11. The Dark Knight
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    guys any idea how i can follow my H2H in the Paddy cup!

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  12. Spike âš½ï¸
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Cardiif 1-0 up

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  13. Abominable Snowy84
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    omg

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

    Yessssssssssz!!!!!!!

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

    FML! 😀

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Bet you jumped out of what ever your sitting on!

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

        I dare not. Bits would fall off ... 😀

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        1. Crouch Potato!
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          I did, Suarez red now please.

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

            😆 +42!!! 😉

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

      What Luck Doosra?

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

        Shitting bricks. 51ish if Stoke retain this clean sheet.

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

          Me too, Stoke CS I win my CL H2H, no CS I lose.

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

            Blimey. Here's hoping!

            *gnaws lip feverishly*

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

              I'm off to watch Midsummer. Can't bare it.

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  16. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Ahahahahahaha

    Come on you Bluebirds!!!

    😆

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  17. Burly - swear i wont ever (…
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    cardiff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  18. Crouch Potato!
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    come on cardiff

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

    Wonderful defending from Enrique

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  20. A2U
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    GWARNN CARDIFF

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

    C'mon the Welsh!

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  22. 808Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    damn begovich coming in, that screws me over big time

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    1. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      why ???

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  23. jas5sk - Youtube channel
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Is it just me or is Liverpool much worse with Suarez IN the lineup?

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    1. Spike âš½ï¸
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I think they are just bad period

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      1. Kagawa-san-mia
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        i second that

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    2. Burly - swear i wont ever (…
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      they are terrible all the time.

      So many average players.

      Adam, Downing, Henderson, Carroll, Johnson,

      None of them would make it into the United, City or Spurs teams

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

        correct, that being said more than half of the utd team wudnt make it into spurs/citys team

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

          Get off the pipe.

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    3. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      thats why im wondering whats the love for a liverfool DGW
      u wont get much points imo

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

        their defence are pretty reliable and not badly priced

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        1. Kagawa-san-mia
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          reliable, cardiff 1-0 liverpool
          enrique mistake
          bolton 3-0 liverpool

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

            sunderland 1 city 0

            utd 1 city 6
            utd 2 balckburn 3

            it happens

            with their fixtures and a doubleweek to chuck in i think its worth investing in their defence

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      2. Hate that rotation
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        If bellamy is fit , he is the one attacking player I would get.

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  24. Abominable Snowy84
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    if we all start shouting for liverpool, we all know what will happen!!

    so as an arsenal fan il go 1st, come on liverpool

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

    Shotton looks tired, get him off Pulis, the boy deserves a rest 🙂

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

      Keep him Pulis to help Stoke concede 2 goals.

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

        😡

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

      Haha great minds? two posts down. 🙂

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

        🙂 Genius minds.

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

      If I would have played Shotton I would have won[against Funkyav].

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  26. Burly - swear i wont ever (…
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Liking the way BBC put a flag on screen when its offside.

    Nice touch

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    1. Abominable Snowy84
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      good for the blind

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      1. Burly - swear i wont ever (…
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        not funny.

        good for when the linesman is out of shot

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        1. Abominable Snowy84
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          wasnt supposed to be funny. thats what it is for

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

    Cmon Pulis sub Shawcross off now. 🙂

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

      +42!!! 😀 😀 😀

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

    Typical the week Stoke finally look like getting a shut out Sorensen is benched.

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

      Because?

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

        Because Pulis wanted to go with Begovic instead.

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

      Shhh!!! 😡

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

        😆

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

        + juan

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  29. Hate that rotation
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    I can see Gerrard saving the day again though. These are his kind of games. ðŸ™

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

      With a bit of luck he will trip and do something ... to himself ...

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  30. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    If Cardiff win this one Pool will never cease to be reminded

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

      Like arsenal you mean 😉

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        At least they were in the same division 😀

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

          😀 I'll enjoy it as much as any other non scouser.

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