Dugout Discussion
6 May 2012 2464 comments
Akers Akers
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It’s the penultimate weekend of the 2011/12 Premier League season, and only Wolves know their fate. Although nothing can be officially decided today, the Dugout Dugout opens for seven games with huge significance at both ends of the table. We start with arguably the biggest game of the day, as Manchester City travel to Newcastle United, with the title and Champions League qualification on the line. Here’s how both sides line-up…

Newcastle XI: Krul, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez, Cisse, Ba.

Man City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Nasri, Toure Yaya, Barry, Silva, Aguero, Tevez

Unsurprisingly, after two massive wins this week, both sides name unchanged line-ups.

Should City falter at the Sports Direct Arena, then attention and intrigue with turn to Old Trafford to see how the Champions can respond at home to Swansea.

In and amongst those two huge games, there’s five games kicking off at 2pm. They include three of the five sides desperately trying to avoid relegation with Aston Villa facing third-place chasing Spurs, QPR hosting Stoke, and Bolton welcoming the visit of West Brom.

Follow all the action as it unfolds in our Dugout Discussion chatroom, which 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. China Mag
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    I would appreciate some more comments on my post a couple of pages back. I thought we played really well. Man city were the better team, but we defended really well and had more than enough chances to get a goal or two. A couple of the responses made it seem like they murdered us. I don't think that many teams have done as well against city as we did (apart from those that parked the bus and hoped for a draw or goal on the break). Was I just watching through black and white glasses?

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    1. BootlegRascal
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      As far as I'm concerned Tottenham have done the best against City this season (Etihad game).

      And I thought you guys were well in it during the first half, second half not as much

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      1. BootlegRascal
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Oh Arsenal at the Emirates.
        Then tottenham at Etihad.

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        1. Mulder
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Chelsea at home did better than Tottenham.

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          1. Nopli
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            +1000000

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          2. BootlegRascal
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Hmm the thing I think sways it to Spurs that they were away, Balotelli really should have been off, and Defoe missed a lovely chance.

            On the other hand, Chelsea were at home and played vs 10 for quite awhile.

            Come to think of it, Sunderland...

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            1. Mulder
              • 15 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              Yeah let's agree on Sunderland hahah

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        2. China Mag
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Agreed. I didn't say we did the best against them, just one of the best!!

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          1. BootlegRascal
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah I'd say you were in it for the first 60

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      2. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        what about sunderland

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      You lost today because Ba saw lot's of the ball and Cisse didn't

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      1. Fray Bentos
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        nonsense

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          I was having a little dig at some comments made during the game....

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    3. MCH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      They did better than United did vs City should be proud of that.

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      1. udit
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        They were at Home, United faced them at the Etihad.

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        1. UnderstandablyDistraught
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          United had a home game against them too

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      2. happy
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Sat back for too long, should have gone for the jugular and played to your strengths.

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    4. UnderstandablyDistraught
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Good performance by the magpies I thought. One of the most impressive teams this season. Augers well for next.

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    5. mclaren
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Sunderland did better I think 😉 Unbeaten against City.

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      1. Mulder
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        True actually.

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    6. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      You did well, but Man City were still by far the better team. On another day they could have scored 4 or 5. They were pretty dire when it came to the final 3rd. Partly down to your good defending yes, but also down to too many mistakes. They were always going to win.

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  2. DLL18
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Who wins:

    a) 25pts Caulker, Valencia, Rooney

    b) 35pts Vorm, Enrique, Sinclair

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      b

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    2. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      a

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    3. BootlegRascal
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Watchthe game and find out

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      1. happy
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        a

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  3. Blind
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    I need Rooney and Suarez to go wild or I can kiss my mini league goodbye

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  4. mohsin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone think Man U will go on a 10 goal romp while keeping a CS?!

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    1. udit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Nope, not looking close to scoring atm.

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      1. Crouch Potato!
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Mad day Nomar.

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        1. udit
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Oi, I'm not Nomar 🙂

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    2. Le Gooner
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      No

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  5. Acquafresca
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Worrying start for United, Swans look composed and ready for a fight, as always

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  6. lazybones18
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    just curious... was there a incident of match fixing ever in epl ?

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  7. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Unless City lose at home to QPR United will have to win by a minimum combined margin of +11 goals in the last two games.

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      *give away points

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    2. Le Bluff
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      *Unless City lose OR DRAW.

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        aye

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  8. Grounderz
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Jelavic and Pienaar... sigh. That goalless draw made me out of the title race in my league. GG.

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Legit goal/assist combo ruled out 😡

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  9. Gravless wonder
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    dyer is coolio's long lost twin

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  10. सनकी
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    which player is good to have for gw38 ?

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      City attackers

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    2. mikess
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      all the lame unexpected ones based on this week

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    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Moses.

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      1. सनकी
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        already have him.

        Dempsey Moses Pienaar VDV Mcclean

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  11. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    As it stands I'm 23 points behind rival and anything Rooney does will increase this. I suspect he will avoid City players and I currently have Tevez. Considering the gap I think Dempsey and RVP to Nasri and Aguero(c) for a hit is my best chance of overturning the deficit. Thoughts?

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    1. UnderstandablyDistraught
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      What's wrong with RVP against WBA?

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      1. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Absolutely nothing but I need differentials to rival.

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    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      I don't think he'll dodge City players at all. In fact I'd say he's almost certainly going to bring in Tevez to block you (at least that's what I'd do).

      Your transfers sound good though

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      1. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, I think his support for Utd might work in my favour regarding Tevez.

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        1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Oh right. Yeah you might be right in that case

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  12. Is A.Cole unlikely to start against Blackburn?

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    1. Mulder
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Can imagine he might be rested.

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  13. RevsFC
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    So with the Arsenal and Tottenham choke-jobs putting them level on points, if they both win next week, and they end up tied on goal differential as they are literally one away there, what would happen? Most away wins or something like that?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Goals scored.

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    2. Arsenal are a point ahead

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal are a point ahead. If they finish level on points and GD I think it goes to goals scored then I guess it would go to H2H results.

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      1. RevsFC
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        never mind, the standings hadn't properly reset.

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  14. mclaren
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Aguero is a perfect choice for last game of the season. At-home and he's on form. The question is - do you have the cash?

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    1. UnderstandablyDistraught
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      lashings of it

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    2. Kanus hat trick
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      And he won't miss the chances like he missed today

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  15. Kanus hat trick
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Yaya Toure: the best midfielder in the world. He can shoot, tackle, pass and has great acceleration. I bet if you stuck him goal he'd do a pretty good job too! Beautiful finish for his first today, just stroked the ball past Krul- why oh why did Barca let him go

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Because they don't need him.

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      1. Kanus hat trick
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        He would better any team you put him in. No doubt about that IMO

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    2. njfsdkffslkf
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Because Busquests is a better holding midfielder and iniesta is a better attacker and he wanted to move to his brother.

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        ... in your opinion ... 😉

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      2. Kanus hat trick
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Iniesta is old now and Busquets isn't half the player Toure is. Yaya is 28 and could be at the top for another 3 or 4 years

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      3. udit
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        You're figures are wrong DB, apparently United spent only 1.5 million more than Liverpool over those 6 years.

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        1. njfsdkffslkf
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Its net spending

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          1. udit
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            yes, net spending.

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          2. udit
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Actually 2.4 million 😳 but you get my drift.

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    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      ... and I was keen on him at the beginning of the Season! 🙂

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  16. Acquafresca
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    United do not look promising at the moment. So much for a drubbing 😆

    I think it will end 1 or 2-0 max United. After they get an earful at halftime by Fergie.

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    1. mclaren
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Berby on the bench? 😉

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  17. gledy
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    So, Norwich, Swansea, QPR all staying up - that's pretty amazing!

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    1. COMH
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      QPR probably need a result a City to stay up. Highly doubtful.

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      1. Acquafresca
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Only if Bolton win will they go back down..

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      2. gledy
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        zero chance for bolton to win at stoke

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    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn't speak too soon about QPR. They will not get any more points this season. Bolton can beat Stoke

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  18. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Do Spurs have another LB or can we expect Bale at LB next week? ðŸ˜

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    1. gledy
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      imo it's bale

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      1. Andy1
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        It could be gallas - he played there for arsenal and Chelsea occasionally

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        1. gledy
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          yeah but that's less likely with king horribly out of form

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          1. Andy1
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            True, but king will play IMO if he's fit

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  19. fatherted
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    There is certainly not going to be a walkover at OT

    Shame. Come on Roo and Tony V

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

    petrov has performed brilliantly since coming into my team 😀

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    1. UnderstandablyDistraught
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      He did say in a recent interview that your confidence gave him a real boost

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      1. gledy
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        lol 😀

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    2. MCH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      He has been incredible the last few weeks!

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    3. Kanus hat trick
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Wish i had him. Great player, was one of the best in the league in his first season at City. Wand of a left boot

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

    Rooney to get an injury in the run up to a penalty (therefore missing) and subbed off in the 59th

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    1. mclaren
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      That's a bit negative!

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    2. RevsFC
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      lmao, that would be hilarious.

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  22. Balotellitubbies
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    City team today:
    Hart (pre oil money)
    Zabaleta (6.5m) Kompany(6.7m) Lescott (22m) Clichy(7m)
    Nasri(22m) Barry(12m) Toure(24m) Silva(25m)
    Tevez(25.5m) Ageuro(38m)
    Subs: Richards (pre-oil) DeJong(16m) Dzeko(27m) 😆

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      It still amuses me when I see how much Lescott cost, especially compared to Kompany.

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      1. Le Bluff
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Can't fault Lescott this season though.

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    2. Bartowski
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Wasn't Kompany pre-oil?

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      1. Balotellitubbies
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Not sure they seemed to come at almost the same time

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      2. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        No. Kompany, Robinho, Jo were all oil, bought by Hughes.

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        1. njfsdkffslkf
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Kompany was bought pre oil by Thaksin Shinawatra and played before Abu Dhabi took over

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          1. Balotellitubbies
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            How's Taxin doing these days 😆

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Milan paid less for Zlatan than City did for a load of those players. And that list doesn't include Milner 😆

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      1. Bartowski
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Its' a list of the players who played today I think

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        1. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Oh right. To think they have other fit players who cost over £20m and didn't play is amazing. Balotelli and Kolarov were expensive too.

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          1. Balotellitubbies
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Balotelli(24m) Kolarov (17m)

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          2. Bartowski
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Not forgetting Robinho for £32.5 million!

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            1. Balotellitubbies
              • 13 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              Or Milner (26m). At least Ade (25m) got a goal today.

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              1. Mílanista
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                13 years, 7 months ago

                Santa Cruz was another 17.5m

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            2. Mílanista
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              Yep, we got a nice big discount on him. And much better performances too! 🙂

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            3. Granville
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              Jo cost 18m

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              1. Mílanista
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                13 years, 7 months ago

                And another waste of money. Forgot all about him 😆

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              2. udit
                • 14 Years
                13 years, 7 months ago

                Ah yes,Jo couldn't buy a goal for city, then when they loaned him back he scored immediately. That was funny.

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    4. Cruicky
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Barry £12M, De Jong £16M? Wow. Money well spent I guess.

      It'll be interesting to see who else they plan to spend big on next...

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  23. lazybones18
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Vorm is such a beast

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  24. Acquafresca
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Started Sorensen over Vorm this week, did i make the right choice?? Vorm already on 2 saves and United moving sluggish today

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  25. Bartowski
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    I have a horrible feeling Siggy is going to punish me for leaving him on the bench this week.

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    1. mclaren
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed, and I sold him for Moses.

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      1. super zlatan
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Siggy on my bench. But will play him next week

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  26. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Harry to recall caulker next season?

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    1. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      He'll go back out on loan imo. Too many CBs at spurs.

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      1. Andy1
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        A lot of them are injury prone tough! King, Dawson and gallas have spent a lot of time injures in the last few seasons

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      2. Kanus hat trick
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        King and Gallas have had it, especially King

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      3. Pratik
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Doubt it, I think Caulker is staying.

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    2. Kanus hat trick
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Surely he will, he's been very good for Swansea

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Caulker 1st choice at Spurs for say, 4.5m, would be great.

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      1. Kanus hat trick
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        he'd be 5.5- 6m and you know it!

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        1. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Don't think he's done enough to justify such a price hike. Though I agree 4.5 is optimistic 🙂

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  27. ricdan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Dunno if I want Nani on or not.

    Think I would be quite happy with 6 points from Kompany

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  28. F is for
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Young's end product has been terrible so far. Hes been going on brilliant dribbles only to give the ball to Swansea....

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  29. DLL18
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Great no Rooney or Valencia involvement ðŸ™

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  30. F is for
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Scholessssssssssssssssssssssss stealing Valencia's assist!!

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      excellent news

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