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Dugout Discussion – Community Shield

12 August 2012 2794 comments
Mark Mark
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We’re back. As the Olympic flame begins to flicker, the football season crunches through the gears to take up the pace. Today’s Community Shield is the official curtain raiser and offers up a Man City vs Chelsea clash that will surely whet the appetite for the feast to come.

The first Dugout Discussion post of the season is here, then, with our Chatroom also open for those who fancy some real-time exchanges.

The team news from Villa Park goes a lot like this…

Chelsea are without one of their new midfield signings, as Marko Marin continues to nurse a hamstring which threatens to derail his double Gameweek prospects. Without the option of Marin, Roberto Di Matteo looks to be going with a 4-3-3, which could similarly shift to pack the midfield with a 4-5-1. Significantly, Juan Mata starts along with Eden Hazard: the Spaniard looks to be playing on the right of compatriot Fernando Torres, with Hazard given the left flank role. Mikel holds a midfield start, with Frank Lampard and Ramires alongside him. John Terry skippers the side in a familiar back four which has Branislav Ivanovic in the right-back role and David Luiz given the nod over Gary Cahill who sits on the bench.

City are without both Gareth Barry and Micah Richards through injury, while reports of a back problem for Joe Hart are confirmed as Costel Pantilimon starts in goal. Ahead of him it looks like a familiar 4-4-2, although there is talk of Roberto Mancini lining up in the 3-5-2 that he’s used throughout the pre-season. Stefan Savic is given the nod alongside Vincent Kompany who recovers from a knock to start: Lescott is presumably being preserved for next weekend. Pablo Zabaleta and, interestingly, Aleksandar Kolarov both get starts, with Clichy benched. It could be we see Zabaleta employed as a defensive three, with Kolarov and James Milner used as wing-backs. David Silva is kept on the bench after his Euro 2012 campaign and, with Barry also absent, Nigel De Jong gets the nod alongside Yaya Toure. Carlos Tevez will be expected to provide the support for Sergio Aguero up front; Mario Balotelli is out of the equation through conjunctivitis, apparently.

Let’s hope the match is a sight for his sore eyes. Enjoy the game.

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

2,794 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Top Heavy
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Has Lee Dixon moved to itv?

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    1. Infinite Sheldon
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Only the best on ITV.

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  2. mango_chutney
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Rate my team

    De Gea (Jaaskalainen)
    Vermaelen, Cashley Cole, Lescott, Harte (Ciaran Clark)
    Nolan, Mata, Michu (Pienaar, Maloney)
    Torres, Rooney, Pog

    Will normally play 3-4-3 with Pienaar coming into the side at the expense of Harte.
    Bit worried by a lack of man city attacking cover - should i be?

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    1. Infinite Sheldon
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Get Aguero.

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    2. Rtas
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Way too much spent at the back for a 343

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  3. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Ok so predictions for full time score ::

    I say 2-2

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    1. Yossi
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      3-1 City

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  4. MB10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Lamps or Ramires?

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  5. Manani
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    looking at replay, what a pass from ramires!

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  6. stufail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Zabaleta terrible for the goal!

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  7. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Commentator about the red card. Classic Serbian job 😀 hahahaha BTW the commentator was also a Serbian.

    I think it was deserved. But that foul on Torres was bullshit. That directly lead to that chance.

    On the other hand the referee has lost the control of the game.

    P.S. I think there won't be ban for GW1 for Ivan

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  8. hillbillypete
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    nasty nasty challenge that

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  9. TeamSteam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    3 Chelsea-players too much for 1st gw? Considering one in each area.

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    1. Cheggers
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Are you joking?

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      1. TeamSteam
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Not joking. Would want to get some Reading boys as well, but given neither have a game in gw 3, i dont want to have make too many changes.

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        1. D1B
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          1 Reading player is too many though 😛

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    2. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      not at all

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  10. Costa in Wengerland
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Chelsea plays BEST when they are 10 MEN !!!

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    1. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      +10000000000000000000000000000000000

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  11. Arsenals Number 10
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    will ivanovic be suspended if so for how long and who will replace him ? cheers

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    1. Karmanya
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Cahill!!!

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    2. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      it looks like FA will have to decide weather to ban him or not, there is no rule about this. But he can be charged if the FA feels it is necessary.

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      1. King Eric, in America
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        No charge = joke.

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        1. Kostja
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Agreed, but im just stating the rules, read from the rules. Mark posted on last page. Comm shield is thought of in the same frames as a friendly game.

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    3. Top Heavy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Should be 3 games I imagine..Cahill or Luiz would be my choice..although they will buy a rb anyway

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    4. Karmanya
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Cahil!!!

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

    ok Maloney+Beuasajor vs Paulo Ferreira

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  13. Cheggers
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Can anyone tell me how they expect reading to lineup?

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    1. blue cheese
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Federici
      Gunter - Pearce - Gorkss - Harte
      HRK/McCleary - Guthrie - Leigertwood - McAnuff
      Pog - ALF

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

        Pearce->Mariappa??

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        1. blue cheese
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          No

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          1. Specialist
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 5 months ago

            Damn, stop beating me to it 😛

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            1. blue cheese
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 5 months ago

              Sorry! 😀

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        2. Specialist
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          No.

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    2. Specialist
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Federici
      Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte
      McCleary/Kanu, Guthrie, Leigertwood, McAnuff
      Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre.

      For the first game at least, that's what I'd predict.

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      1. Cymro
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Is Harte on your free kicks? how has he done in pre-season and who's his threat for the LB spot?

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        1. Specialist
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah, he should get most of the free-kicks. We've had quite a poor pre-season in general so it's hard to say, he did score a free-kick though. Shorey will be a threat at LB and probably means he won't play every game, but we'll see.

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          1. Cheggers
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 5 months ago

            Yea surely Shorey will be first choice

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            1. Specialist
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 5 months ago

              I dunno, I still expect Harte to get a reasonable share of starts. I guess it depends how he does when he plays.

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      2. Cheggers
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Fair do's. Was tempted by Robson Kanu at 4.5m for the double gameweek.... but want someone nailed on

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        1. Specialist
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Guthrie at that price may be your man then, unless you fancy one of the strikers or finding the extra cash for McAnuff.

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  14. Cantona90
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    I think most if not all two-footed tackles should be straight reds! In the whole time I've played footy I've never had the necessity to do a two-footed tackle, one foot will always suffice.

    I snapped my cruciate ligament with a two footed tackle so I know first hand the damage they can do.

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    1. Infinite Sheldon
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      It's more about the force than the 2 feet.

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    2. Rtas
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      +1

      Two footed challenges are nearly always just try to try and get the other player to jump out of the way

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  15. Top Heavy
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Torres was the first player I put in my team this year as I expect plenty of goals..his overall game however remains awful.

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  16. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    P.S. Glad to be a member finally. Everybody watch out 😀

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    1. FORCA INTER
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      how did you pay it?

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        😀 +42???

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        1. FORCA INTER
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          macedonia dosn't have a paypal...

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    2. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Welcome aboard. 🙂

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  17. Mid-Table Obscurity
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    on a lighter note, how hillarious was hazard's back heel!

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    1. Sarnab
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      9/10 rating

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    2. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Don't you have to touch the ball for a back heel? 😉

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    3. Manani
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      funny enough to send to AFV.

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    4. thattreblefeeling
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      HAHAHazard brilliant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NswMn3iOHo

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    5. SPorting
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      De Jong clearly fouled him.

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  18. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Ramires best chelsea mid?

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    1. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Currently looks like it. If they play the same lineup next week.

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    2. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      yep

      but strangely i think Mikel been great as well

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    3. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Mata for me.

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  19. hillbillypete
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    from what ive seen so far:

    Ramires cemented in my team
    Aguero to Tevez
    Considering going without Che defender
    Kolorov is interesting me

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    1. nzsheep
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Agree

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  20. SWFC_GMGM
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Kompany + Lampard

    or

    Lescott + Hazard?

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    1. nzsheep
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      1st choice. More secure early doors

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    2. FORCA INTER
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Lescott+Lampard and invase money elsewhere

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    3. MB10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      1 definitely

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    4. jhill89
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Kompany + Lampard IMO

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    5. hillbillypete
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      u goin to the game tomoz or watchin it on sky? (oldham fan)

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    6. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Zabaleta and Mata.

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  21. DLL18
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Looks like silver for Evans.

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    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Yep. He was out-boxed there.

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  22. nzsheep
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Rodwell Bandwagon?

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    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      U havin a laugh? Bench warmer

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  23. Spike ⚽️
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    The only thing I've deduced from the game so far is that Kevin is no friend of Ivan !!

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      We have to talk about Kevin ... 😉

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      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        need*

        😎

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Thank you! 😀 Another example of old gittishness! 😉

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  24. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Hmmm Carry on watching El Cashico or switch to the Dream Team at 3...

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  25. Infinite Sheldon
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    How is Mata looking?

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    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Fairly anonymous.

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      1. Infinite Sheldon
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Damn.

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    2. Top Heavy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      IMO he hasn't done enough to get in my team..Oscar will probably take his place

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    3. shermanater
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      poor

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  26. Corrigan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    My team is exactly as it was before we started with one exception. I've taken out Yaya for Bale.

    - saves a transfer
    - Yaya looking too deep for 8m
    - I don't need that extra 1.5 contingency
    - 3 City attackers too much

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    1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Mancini will play 352 against southampton making yaya more attacking

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      1. eratrius
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        how bout now

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    2. DropPointsNotBombs
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely keeping Toure

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  27. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Mark

    Regarding your earlier post, would this game be classed as a pre-season friendly or a competitive game?

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  28. Sliver
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    3 predictions about Chelsea's season:

    1. TERRY is going to be a big liability.
    2. RAMIRES is going to continue where he left off.
    3. TORRES is not going to get as much service as people think. Hazard, Sturridge and Co. are more likely to shoot than pass to him.

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    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      3. Shevchenko syndrome..

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    2. Midtable
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      3. Could be the greediest team in history

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  29. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Guys, im going mental here. What plan do you usually have when you pick your 5 Defenders?

    Do you usually pick some players who rotate? Im just thinking it will be hard to do this throughout the season when it becomes clear which Defenders are must haves, form/cheap bargain players etc..

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    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I have 3 defenders that are in the 5 mill range, one in 4.5 and one in 4. The idea is that my 3 5 mill and 4.5 mill will offer enough cover usually and I may have to dip in to the 4 mill defender occasionally. That's how it stands now but may change it.

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    2. Infinite Sheldon
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Just pick one Mancity/united and one Chelsea. Them fill the rest with cheap players who have decent fixtures.

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      1. jhill89
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        pick 2 higher priced def then 3 cheap ones that rotate well. I have Lescott/Cole and then Hangeland/Clyne/Demel

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  30. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Evans silver medal, outclassed by Kazak

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