Dugout Discussion
2 January 2013 3150 comments
Mark Mark
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The Gameweek concludes with three matches under lights and a cast of Fantasy heavy-hitters on show. Chelsea face QPR at the Bridge with Rafa’s teamsheet much anticipated by all, while Liverpool share the same kick-off tie for their Anfield meet with Sunderland. Meanwhile, the 8pm kick-off is at St James’ Park, where Newcastle, sans Demba Ba, face Everton as they look to stave off talk of a relegation battle.

Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open for business and ready for the rowdy and reserved alike.

Rafa confirms our worst fears: he makes the bravest of moves and rests both Eden Hazard and Juan Mata, along with Ramires: Victor Moses, Oscar and Marko Marin are handed starts, while Frank Lampard is retained and skippers the side. Benitez also opts to preserve Ashley Cole at left-back, drafting in Ryan Bertrand for a start. With Petr Cech stricken by a groin problem, Ross Turnbull is in goal as expected, while David Luiz looks to be in midfield once again.

QPR also make changes in opposition, with Shaun Derry, Fabio and Esteban Granero given starts; Junior Hoilett is also given an opportunity to impress as the likes of Shawn Wright-Phillips, Djibril Cisse, Samba Diakite and Armand Traore all make way. Park Ji-sung is back following injury and on the bench.

Over at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers brings Andre Wisdom back into the fold following Jose Enrique’s hamstring injury. That’s one of two changes as Lucas makes a return to midfield at the expense of Joe Allen. Glen Johnson will presumably shift to left-back.

Martin O’Neill has no option but to make a change at the back with hamstring victim John O’Shea missing out: Danny Rose returns at left full-back, however, after sitting out the Spurs game as part of his loan arrangement.

With Demba Ba embroiled in transfer talk, Newcastle are forced to make changes to their lineup as Shola Ameobi starts up front. Mike Williamson returns from his ban to bolster a defence hit for seven goals at the Emirates, while Vurnon Anita also returns having missed the Arsenal drubbing through injury. The injured Danny Simpson sits out, while Gael Bigirimana drops to the bench.

As for the Toffees, they are able to recall Marouane Fellaini after his three-match ban, while Phil Neville also returns from injury to strengthen their lineup. Both Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar are fit enough to start despite the scares earlier today; it’s Thomas Hitzlsperger and Victor Anichebe who drop out.

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

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      surprised he beat taarabt

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  2. New Ghost
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Ryan Nelsen is so old.

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      So am I. So what? 😛

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      1. New Ghost
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        But you have the spirit and zeal of a young'un! 🙂

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    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Slow? His look?

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    3. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Distin is 35!

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  3. gedda
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    If Mata comes on he will have to do wonders.. Suarez (VC)

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  4. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    How did Sunderland miss?

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  5. Jairzinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Krul shot on target

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    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      😯 really?

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        nah, they'll claim it was a "floated cross"

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  6. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Migs 3 saves every little helps

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  7. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    7 players and 63 points. Should be happy with that. Mackie and Nelson to come off the bench too. Cleanie and 1-0 win for QPR (Mackie) would be outrageous!

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    1. alsybach
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      7 plyers!?!?!?

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      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        Team linked mate!

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    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Better to be headed goal from Nelsen.

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      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        Ok then. Will take 2-0, Mackie and Nelson 😀

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  8. ManTree(v2!) or just JAY!
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Hey folks

    Is this team worth wildcarding?

    Any suggested changes?

    Aguero to Suarez??

    Begovic, Ruddy

    Nelsen, Sagna, Demel, Cuellar, Bassong

    Mata, Michu, Bale, Walcott, Sterling

    RVP, Aguero, Berbatov

    Thoughts please?
    Thank you

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    1. Pinoche
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Ru d

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    2. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Nice team. I'd go with it, may be downgrade Sterling and Upgrade Berba? Sterling will not play as much when Sturridge comes in

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  9. FPL Touches
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    If Hazard doesn't come on then I have wasted a transfer this week...

    Who'd have thought Bale to Hazard could turn out so badly? ğŸ™

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    1. lightspeed
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Did the same

      Was always a one week punt

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  10. Waldaz
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    I'd rather 45 mins of Mata than 90 of Maloney... please come in!

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  11. onionbarje
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    if he gets 3Baps

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    1. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      reply fail to kagawa

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  12. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    All that matters to me this week is my FPL cup tie. Never been this excited. And they are showing all three matches here.

    Cmonnn Nelsen Mata Fellaini Suarez!!!!!

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  13. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Another Krul save.......gimme dem BAPS

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  14. Declan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    At this rate Hazar'/Mata will be on at HT.

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    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Mata, Please.

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  15. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    another suarez shot on target 😀

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    1. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Looked off target

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      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        on because Mig caught it. stats confirmed too.

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  16. Mr Smith
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    How's Pienaar playing?

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    1. Dynamic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Nearly assisted just then

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      1. Mr Smith
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        Ooh, nice!

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    2. ogqozo
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      He's playing well with Fellaini. Close to getting an assist a few times. Everton playing 4-4-2 right now, so he's playing further from the goal.

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  17. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Didnt know it was a krul assist for cisse goal

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      yeah kicked it straight up the pitch and cisse headed it over howard

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    2. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      😀 😀 😀 😀

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  18. I taught Ashley Young how t…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    On 73 atm. What was the average on here yesterday round about?

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      50-60

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    2. Mr Smith
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      74, hard luck ğŸ™

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      1. big oak
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        80 🙂

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    3. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      74

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    4. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      46 but with some points to come off the bench. Should be 50 ish. Not (C) RVP = problem.

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  19. Jax
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    mignolet save point oh yeah! 🙂

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  20. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Agh, Fellaini shot blocked.

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    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Cmon son gimme good news! I need this!

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  21. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Ahhh.. Fellaini close.

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  22. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    O'BRIEN NEWS:

    "O'Brien was replaced with 20 minutes remaining, but the full-back was happy to report that it was just a precaution as he was feeling tightness in his hamstring. He is therefore hopeful of facing Manchester United in the FA Cup with Budweiser third round on Saturday."

    http://www.whufc.com/articles/20130102/joeys-half-century-goal_2236884_3024156

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    1. waitinginthelonggrass
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Thanks

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Suarez giving me cup team hope. I love cup ties, if they are this exciting 😀

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        Feck off with Suarez already. 😉

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        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 24 days ago

          Cheer me . This one time. Atleast Afro Mata and Nelsen

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Thanks, good news

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    4. JK - Cønt â­
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      good news 😀

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    5. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      pff, thx

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  23. the Penman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Well, my Ba (C) fail is rapidly turning into a Suarez (VC) success...

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  24. The Chosen One...
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Taarabt needs to go to a better team.....he is clearly a class above

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  25. Ostrich Baby
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Don't want the January WC, these past two weeks have been the highest scoring of my season so far:

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/43360/history/

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  26. Injury Prone o_O Gooner.
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Looking for my first ton of the season if Mata had started.... Boo. He already said he dosent need a rest Raffa... Meh

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  27. ImTheDude
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Is Afro playing in the hole?

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    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Yes. Very much involved.

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    2. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Yes

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      1. ImTheDude
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        Thanks

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  28. ccc
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Sounds like the QPR fans are still a tad angry with John Terry & Cole.

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    1. big oak
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      i think these days they are more angry with ferdinand

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      1. ccc
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 24 days ago

        I'm hearing more anti Terry & Cole chants than anti Ferdinand chants atm

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  29. Gaztafari
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Could have been such an epic week. I've got O'Brien, Walcott (V), Sterling, Suarez, Berbatov and Van Persie.... Mata (C)!!!

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  30. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 24 days ago

    Mata's warming up.

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    1. Injury Prone o_O Gooner.
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 24 days ago

      Really?

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