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.

  1. Rui
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Chelsea are awful without Mata.

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    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      this is very true. bring him on ya fat spanish waiter. guaranteed goal.

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  2. Jax
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    all my strikers have scored this gameweek. can't go wrong with berbatops, robin reliant and king luis 🙂

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    1. Pinoche
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      +21

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    2. Smakies
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      hell yeah !!!!

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    3. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Yup 😀

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    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      might do Ba to Suarez to get above

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  3. Doesn't Mata
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Mata warming up oh no.

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  4. Declan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Mata warming up.

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    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      shit no...want sterling's points to come off the bench

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      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        +1

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  5. andres
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    How is oskar looking?

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      impish

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    2. Crazy Joe
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Looking awesome as always. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNpeTCEPrRk

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  6. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    ♪ You're not on the pitch, you're not on the piiitch. Ashley Cole, you're not on the pitch.

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    1. Hazmat
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      You're John Terry's bitch

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        tasteless

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    2. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      ♪  ♪  ♪ 

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  7. Trigg ⭐️
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Sterling fouled, come on GJ, smash this FK straight in 😀

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  8. faulksp
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    I am resigned to the fact that Mata is going to come on .......gutted !

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  9. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Chelsea lacking creative spark. Mata to the rescue??

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    1. Silly Sausage
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Hopefully!

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      1. faulksp
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        Noooooo

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    2. 4-4-who?
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Is Mata really Scott Tracey?

      http://www.tracyislandchronicles.com/tb3/characters/characters.html

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  10. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    How does this look for a WC 11.......

    Begovic
    Demel Mariappa Luiz

    Walcott Michu Bale Walcott

    Suarez Berbatov RVP

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    1. New Ghost
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Change Mariappa.

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    2. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      I get two Theos!!!

      Lets try again......

      Begovic
      Demel Mariapa Luiz
      Walcott Michu Bale Fellaini
      Suarez Berbatov RVP

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    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Bale -> Wallcott

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      1. Stupendous
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        Would you double up on Walcott and Walcott though?

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    4. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Too much Walcott for my taste.

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  11. Smakies
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Mata if you come on ,please do better then sterling !!!!

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    1. faulksp
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Better than Noble !!!!

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    2. Mr Smith
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      That i can live with, having both 🙂

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  12. cechmate
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Darn I sold Sterling in my WC already. Wasn't paying enough attention.

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    1. Smakies
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      me too, don't worry he be benching once sturrige kicks in

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  13. Silly Sausage
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Woo Suarez. Were Liverpool goals good?

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    1. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      yes

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  14. alsybach
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    decided on a frisky captain this week.........................TWAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  15. Willis.
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Gawd, Chelsea look so shite...

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    1. big oak
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      i think qpr are decent too
      they look nothing like the team from last week

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  16. ogqozo
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Jesus Christ, are those Gerrard's set pieces dangerous or are they? I'm considering ruining mu budget for taking another 9 million + midfielder.

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  17. Mile Plankton
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Stupid Rafa!

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  18. onionbarje
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Seems like Mata coming on at HT

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  19. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Ah, both my H2Hs are getting close! Be my hero Mata. Stay quiet Suarez!!!

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    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      My cup tie is a stormer. Was 12 points behind. Now just 3-4.

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        I was comfortably winning both mine earlier. How quickly things change...

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    2. COMH
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      LOUD NOISES coming from Suarez tonight buddy 😉

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  20. heeljames
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    If Mata doesnt play my rival gets Van Persie as his captain, so im praying he comes on (and does F-ALL)

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  21. lazybones18
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    i want hazard to play cuz my vc is BA lol.. rather take 1+1

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    1. big oak
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      not a great start of the year

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    2. EoinM
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Ha..so unlucky

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

    Looking good for a Mata sub to come on and carve QPR up.

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  23. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Considering:
    Defoe, Silva, Punch > Carzola, Suarez, Noble for an 8pt hit (1 transfer this GW, 2 next).

    Not having Suarez is killing me....

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  24. ccc
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Ba > P. Cisse anyone?

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    1. alsybach
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      gurenteed!!!!!!!!!

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  25. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    I reckon my non-WC team is as good as any of the WC teams I've seen posted...

    Begovic Jaask
    Gibbs Cuellar Cameron Clyne Nelsen
    Bale Cazorla Michu Walcott Puncheon
    RVP Suarez Berba

    and 1FT with 1.5m in the bank to improve it!

    Wildcard schmildcard!

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    1. Andy1
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Just missing mata...

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        Rather have Cazorla right now

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    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Fellaini ?

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        Can't have em all!

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  26. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Anyone watching the clash of Afro? How's Fellaini?

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    1. big oak
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      average
      missed a decent chance so far

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    2. Injury Prone o_O Gooner.
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Yep... Furthest forward at times.

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    3. ogqozo
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Not that good actually.

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  27. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Chelsea desperately need Mata in the second half....

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  28. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    I love having one game 15 minutes later. Continuous football. No interruptions whatsoever 😀

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    1. big oak
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      not when u wanna take a piss

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    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      +100

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  29. davidalfox
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Will Ba replace Torres in the Chelsea starting lineup? Considering Defoe to Ba this week.

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    1. ogqozo
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Chelsea fans can hope so, but surely not in the first match.

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  30. waitinginthelonggrass
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Fellaini or Bale for the next gameweek?

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Bale

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    2. New Ghost
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Bale of course.

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    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Fellaini

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