The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
17 March 2012 1555 comments
Mark Mark
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While the fixture list lies ravaged by FA Cup distraction, our morning stroll is no less urgent and worry-strewn – and it’s all centred on the United camp.

What’s all this talk of a Wayne Rooney knock? What’s going on with Antonio Valencia and Nani? Is Sir Alex really going to contemplating resting Ashley Young at Wolves?

We won’t get all the answers until tomorrow’s kick-off but, for now, we can turn to those most likely to be in the know. Those most likely to have the inside track on Ferguson’s thinking.

Walk with me while I sift through the press boy’s morning lineups…

The Guardian start us off with Wayne Rooney safely snuggled in the lineup but marked as a doubt. Ashley Young is given the left-flank role, with Nani seemingly fit and recalled to the right flank. There’s no place for Phil Jones, as Rafael takes on the right-back role.

The Telegraph also have Rooney up front, playing in a 4-3-3 with both Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez starting. Ashley Young is included, with Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes in the midfield. There’s no place for either Antonio Valencia or Nani here. We’re in agreement with this. We reckon it will be Hernandez and Rooney up front with Welbeck on the right and Young given the left-flank again.

The Times have Rooney up front of course, partnered by Welbeck and, interestingly, they have both Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young on the flanks. There’s no place for Nani here then. The Times are the only paper this morning going with a Valencia start.

The Mail have Rooney and Javier Hernandez paired up front, with Welbeck out of the picture. Nani and Young take up the flank role with Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick in central midfield. They go with Chris Smalling at right-back for United with no place for flu-victim Phil Jones.

The Sun are the only paper to take note of Ferguson’s substitutions and actually consider Ryan Giggs for a start. He gets the left-flank with Ashley Young switched to the right – unlikely in our view. Rooney is up front of course, with Javier Hernandez his partner. Carrick and Scholes are again in the middle and Phil Jones has the right-back spot.

Finally, the Independent have Rooney partnered with Welbeck with Young on the left and Nani operating on the right-flank. There’s no place for Hernandez here then, while Jones recovers to take on the right-back role.

Us Fantasy managers can feel quietly confident about all this. It’s a unanimous vote for a Wayne Rooney will start and all the papers also go with Ashley Young in the United lineup. As for Nani and Valencia – there’s a chance they’ll be involved, but it’s looking unlikely based on talk around the press. That’s our thinking too. Rooney’s knock will surely fail to halt his flourishing goalscoring spell, whilst Young is Ferguson’s chief creator right now – crucial to Rooney’s blossoming form.

Before we leave you with those comforting thoughts, there’s still time to tackle our “Do they know something we don’t” award – a section which came through for us last week when Joleon Lescott missed out for City.

This time around, it’s more bad news for Fantasy managers. If the press are to be believed, Fulham’s Stephen Kelly is set to frustrate us for the second Gameweek running. Having returned early from injury at Villa last week, despite Martin Jol claiming he was unavailable, this time around the press feel that fit-again Aaron Hughes will replace him. Of our papers this morning, only the Telegraph have Kelly in their predicted lineup – Hughes gets the right-back start in The Times, The Mail, The Sun, The Independent and the The Guardian. We’re not so sure – but then, having been caught out by Lescott’s knock, perhaps we have to consider this little lead too.

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

  1. Blue Moon Rising
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Should I get Schwarzer even if I have Kelly. I've already got double Liverpool and double newcastle in my defence.

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    1. Park the bus
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      then definitely not!!

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    2. Phillips
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Depends on the rest of your team. Friedel is worth a look if you can afford him.

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      1. Blue Moon Rising
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        I can but hate spending that much on a keeper. Spurs defence not that great.

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    3. COMH
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Double up's all over the place! Don't think you want to go overboard on that.

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  2. Phillips
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    My team isn't sitting well with me this week. Still unsure on my defence and subs.
    It's a gamble with the Liverpool defence and maybe over Kelly starting, but have I got them in the right order?

    Vorm
    Skrtel, Enrique, Evans, Kelly
    Bale, Demps, Young
    Rooney(C), RVP, Suarez

    Sorensen, Moses, McClean, Simpson

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    1. Jimbo123
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Not convinced the scousers will keep a cleanie!?

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    2. IrishOnion
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good. If you really don't want to double up on Liverpool defenders, swap one out for Moses. He may have finally found some form.
      I would leave it.

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    3. Phillips
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers chaps.
      I guess if Pool do keep a cleanie not many will have doubled. Could help the ranking.
      Moses might be in anyway if Kelly doesn't start too.

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  3. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Any one else doubling up with Skertel an Enrique? Or should I play simp instead of Enrique.

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    1. Phillips
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Look above. Liverpool usually seem quite tight and Norwich manage to score against anyone.

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    2. lout3380
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Simpson a doubt, but I'm putting him in anyway with Enrique as my 1st choice sub

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  4. Pinturicchio
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Schwarzer
    Evans, Skrtel, Caulker
    Silva, Dempsey, Bale, McClean
    Rooney (c), Ba (vc), RVP

    Mignolet, Siggy, Kelly, Richards

    Any changes?

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    1. Josh
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good

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      1. Josh
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        I'd maybe prefer Siggy to Mcclean due to form and set pieces

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        1. Pinturicchio
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          My reasoning was Blackburn are aweful defending and Fulham at home don't give too much

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  5. Tin of Directors
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    SSN really is a poor excuse for a sports news channel.
    When is says Sky Sports News does it mean that it is a news channel for sports on Sky?

    I know they have F1 and are excited but it's a minority sport in reality and they have never given it any real coverage before. Appreciate TV rights were with others before but still, the way they're going on is like it's a brand new sporting concept.

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    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      they make F1 sexy

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      1. Tin of Directors
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        They'll do a terrific job there is no doubt but they're like a kid with a new toy.

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    2. Pinturicchio
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Thats how the empire that SKY works i'm afraid. Ignore things they don't have live coverage and hype up the ones they do.

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      1. Pinturicchio
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        that is*

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      2. Tin of Directors
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Is annoying.

        What's Surf Report all about as well?!?!
        What surfer in their right mind would refer to SSN for their surf news?!

        WHY DO I WATCH SSN?!?!?! LOL

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    3. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      i know , its got its own channel so why bother us all morning
      with the tedious shite

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    4. Bad Pen
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      It'll simmer down a bit when this weekend is over I hope. It is annoying though, a lot of the presenters don't seem to know what they are talking about when it comes to the F1 segment.

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    5. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      F1 is a minor sport?

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      1. Tin of Directors
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        OK, maybe the wrong term but in terms of popularity compared to football it's nowhere and I switch SSN on to see football news which they usually always show first.

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  6. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    silva > young or jersey joe walcott ?

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  7. kingbails
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Aguero Captain? 🙂

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  8. snowman
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Vorm
    Evans Simpson Skrtel
    Morrison Bale Young Dempsey
    Rooney(c) Ba(vc) VP

    Subs: Mcclean Caulker Taiwo

    good?

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      looks ok to me but who is your other keeper?

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      1. snowman
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        al habsi

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    2. Josh
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      nice

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  9. comeonspurs
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Need help

    Need to play 2 from

    Lescott CHE (H) inj?
    simpson NOR (H) inj?
    Kelly SWA (H) in starting 11?
    McAuley WIG (A)

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      McAuley and Kelly IMO.

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  10. living the dream
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Whats the speculation on kelly?

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    1. kingbails
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      It's about whether he will play or not

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    2. Josh
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Hughes is set to replace him apparently

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      1. Blue Moon Rising
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Can't see why it'd happen now. Although he was at fault for the goal last week.

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Read the article.

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

    Really unsure of order this week guys..

    Schwarzer

    Evans Skrtel Santon

    Bale Silva Dempsey Siggy

    RVP Suarez BA(c)

    Mig....Senderos, Valencia, Cahill

    ?

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Play Valencia over Siggy IMO.

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      1. Josh
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        how much do you think he will play?

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  12. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    who to vc

    Ba, RvP, Dempsey, Bale, Young?

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    1. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Dempsey.

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    2. Bad Pen
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      I am torn between Ba and Demps. So torn...

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      1. Josh
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        you have to play Ba surely

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        1. Bad Pen
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          Oh he is playing, no doubt. But vc was the question posed.

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        2. Manamongst
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          I wouldn't...Norwich pushes the defensive line forward, it's a wrap for Ba action. I'd do Demps...personally I dumped them both last week and Dempsey a week before Ba.

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      2. Bad Pen
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Although I feel that this agonising will probably be for naught, Rooney will play.

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      3. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        so am I atm I have it on Ba but it's so tough

        I also don't think it'll matter, but one needs to be prepared for every eventuality.

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  13. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Nearly time to close entries for the FPL Open.

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  14. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Hoping Kelly doesn't feature, and Simpson is fit, as I sold Kelly to get Evans but kept Simpson! He must have got a knock as I pressed confirm lol 🙂

    Reo Coker on stand by if needed!

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  15. blind faith
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Siggy or mclean?!

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    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      I have went mcclean

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    2. The Milkman
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      McClean for me I think... home and probably an easier game. If both had fixtures of the same difficulty I'd go with Siggy though.

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      1. The Milkman
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Sorry, McClean is away too. Oops! Well, Blackburn is still easier than Fulham but there's not much in it...

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          There is a lot in it, Fulham are so much better defensively than Blackburn it is untrue.

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  16. SuperMario
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    I have 1 FT and .6 in the bank but should i go ahead with this team??

    Schwartzer
    Enrique - Evans - Skrtel - McAuley
    Nani - Morrison - Dempsey
    Rooney (c) - RVP (vc) - Suarez

    Migs, Myiachi, Ream, O Hara

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Transfer out Ream.

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  17. unoaime
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Why is Rooney so far ahead in the captains poll? Are Wolves really that bad? And are Man United really that good?

    Even Demba Ba looks a better option to me.

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    1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Oh, no why did you start with marihuana?

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    2. The Rock
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Man Utd are the best team in the world, ever. In history! 🙂

      No there not, but good enough to give that Wolves team a good spanking and Rooney is in great form lately, hence why he is so far ahead in the captains poll.

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    3. Blue Moon Rising
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Dempsey's a great option with the form Fulham are currently in at home

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    4. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      a, yes
      b, compared to wolves yes, bilbao no

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    5. uhahpaulmcgrath
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      wolves have conceded 30 goals at home this season. The only club to concede more goals home or away is blackburn away...thats probably why

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  18. comeonspurs
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Need help

    Need to play 2 from

    Lescott CHE (H) inj?
    simpson NOR (H) inj?
    Kelly SWA (H) in starting 11?
    McAuley WIG (A)

    Anyone

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    1. F is for
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Kelly and then the second spot is between Simpson and McAuley. I'd go with McAuley because of West Brom's current form but its a hard decision.

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  19. trisonetwo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    mclean or siggy?

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  20. gunner1994
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Pick three to play: Evans, Enrique, Shawcross, Simpson or McAuley?

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Evans, Enrique and McAuley

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      1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Agree

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    2. Puzzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      evans, enrique, simp

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  21. Puzzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Play Siggy or double on liverpool defense?

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  22. The Milkman
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Who to start this GW, Sigurdsson or McClean?

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      McLean FTW

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      1. The Milkman
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        What about McClean? 🙂

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          Play him.

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  23. Blue Moon Rising
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Should I buy Mignolet or Bogdan?

    Bogdan's got fixtures in his favour but that's about it.

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Mig

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  24. Paul
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    okay my team for this gw is

    vorm
    simpson enrique caulker
    dempsey mcclean gerrard bale
    rvp pogrebnyak aguero

    got 1 ft and 0.5 in bank…..
    now since gerrard got me the hattrick not sure whether to keep him or remove him!!!!
    thinkin of doin
    gerrard > morrison &
    aguero > rooney ?????….is this okay????…plz help…
    please please please help!!!!!!!!

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    1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Your transfers looks very good

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    2. Puzzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Keep Gerrard imo. Find another way of getting rooney

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  25. Mak_Gold
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Vorm,
      Skrtel, Kelly, Santon,
      Valencia, Dempsey(C), Silva, Bale,
      Rooney, RVP(V), Ba.

      Caulker, McClean, Shotton.

      Everything all right?

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    • Super-Hans
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going to do it; Nani out, Young in. Could backfire, but can't slip up now, chasing my mini-league leader, and took 20p on him last week!

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      1. COMH
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        I did Nani > Bale last night. Fed up trying to work out if a player will play or not.

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        1. Super-Hans
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          +1

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      2. super zlatan
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Mental imo

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    • gavlaa
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Is skrtel, pilkington, mcauley the right order?

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      1. COMH
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Can you not fit Skrtel in your side? Could be a good opportunity from set pieces against a dodgy QPR defence.

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        1. COMH
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          I would have Pilkington last sub. Norwich continually prove that they are rotation crazy especially with the midfield.

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    • Nickyboy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Going for Rooney (c)

      RVP or Dempsey for (vc), what do you say?

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    • The Rock
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Too many people asking Siggy or McClean so instead of responding to you all, il just say McClean for me!

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      1. HappyAnkit
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        +7

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    • Burly - swear i wont ever (…
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      let the games begin!

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