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. FPL Touches
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Marin + Moses OFF

    Hazard + Mata ON

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

      this

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  2. DRIZ ✅
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Cisse best Toon striker Ba none. Absolutely Marveauxlous to see him knocking Ba of his Perch.

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

      Ok.

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

      crafty

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

      Saw this on BBC commentary

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    4. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      just like last season
      First half season for Ba
      Second half season is Cisse's

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

        +1..they pick their time 2 fire

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

      There's Ben Arfa chance that Sammy Ameobi could be if he gets Santon the pitch.

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  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Everton look poor

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    1. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Are you even watching the game? Could have had 2 goals. 🙄

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  4. jessie03
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    sterling or Gaston Ramirez?

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

      Ram

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    2. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Ramirez. Easily.

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      1. jessie03
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        thanks

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

    BBC radio; "Shaun Wright Phillips came on and that was a blow for Q.P.R." ha ha ha ha ha Too right! he is shite!!

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

      I remember when he was a mini bandwagon, that I unfortunately hopped on - was it last season?

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

      his movement off the ball has been absolutely atrocious this half

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  6. GlasgowFF
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    When is the most popular time to use the Jan wildcard?

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    1. Cooper123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Late as possible.

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    2. Yes Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      now

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

      January

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

        Hahahahahahahahaha

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

          good sport 🙂

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    4. EatStatic
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      First week I'd imagine. The weak can't hold out.

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  7. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Baines to get a sneaky assist to make the naysayers think twice and keep him, prolonging the agony with several more weeks of 1s and 2s 😈

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  8. Vote Joke
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Should I go for Luiz or Zabs? Frees up 0.7 to upgrade either Clyne, Cuellar or C.Cole

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

      Zab

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      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        Wow. just realised I have the sexy choice of Cuellar & Luiz OR Clichy & Zabs. May double up on Man City wing backs...

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

    Liverpool game update pls?

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

      2-0 HT

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

        thx.. more goals in the offing?

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

          Defo.

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

            +100

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  10. CarelessGenius©
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Chances of Mata coming on?

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      75

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

      Fancy him to start the 2nd half.

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    3. Yes Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      high

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    4. heartsattack
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Certainty I think.

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    5. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      he'll come on
      we can't win without him

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

      99%.

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

      100%. Been warming up since part way though the first half.

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    8. CarelessGenius©
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Thought so. Having sterling on the bench.....poo.

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

        Afraid so 🙁

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  11. DRIZ ✅
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Chelsea 2nd half win.

    bet bet

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  12. Soccaholic
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Cmon Screech!

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

    well the positive thing for baines owners at least is that he is due

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    1. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      next week

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

      He must be due a 100pter 😆

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

      Now

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  14. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    you know what i love the most? players who won't pick suarez ever "out of principle" 😆

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      I had this attitude. Sadly by the time I realised the error of my ways he was out of my reach price wise. Might have to see what I can do on wc

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      1. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        yep, if you're playing fantasy football may as well do it properly and pick the best players. shame if someone doesn't like cristiano ronaldo 🙂

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

      what? the principal that he is a low life racist diving scumbag???

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

        he is going into my wildcard team!

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

        I'm sure you live the life of a monk then

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      3. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        you are a perfect example 😆

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

      It's only a game...

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        Tis true. I bought an Amy Winehouse the day after she died. Not sure whether that reflects well on me or not, but I wasnt paying for drugs.

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    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      I didnt last season. But this season I cant see any sensible logic not too

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

    please bring on Mata! it's either Nelsen's CS or Mata goal..

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

      Exactly the same for me 🙂

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    2. Siva Mohan
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      +1

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

    Jins, our H2H has come down to:

    You: 1pt+ Sess 2nd half

    Me: Fellaini + Sterling 2nd half

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

      Oh and you have Taarabt 2nd half

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  17. Bad Pen
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Cisse yc.

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

      Jarvis is bound to get a see in though...

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

    cisse yc
    and well deserved

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  20. Lawrø
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    @OptaJoe 165 - Liverpool's Premier League home record in games in which they've had a two goal lead is P167 W165 D2 L0. Safe.

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

      What about qpr 3-2?

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

        Doh- home!!

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

    Have I imagined this or did Joey O'Brien not come off injured against Norwich. I saw it with my own eyes but can't find anything about it on Google so I'm wondering if I got him mixed up with another West Ham player!!

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

      Yes.

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

      Doos said it was just a precaution, tight hamstring.

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

        Rafael was out for 2 weeks with one of those! Bit risky bringing him in, no?

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

      Edit: loads of people bringing him in according to Fiso -sorry I must have got it wrong

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

      more than 10 days to recover shoudl be enough

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

      He did, just a precaution as his hammy felt a bit tight. Hopeful to return at the weekend.

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

      He did, but it was a small hammy twinge. WHU said he'd be ok for cup game v Man U.

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

    How long has Baines been 'due'?

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

      long time man
      iv had for like 8-10 weeks now

      no returns

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    2. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Not anymore 🙂

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    3. SW6
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      😯

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  23. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    My flight now delayed.... 5 hours 👿 !!!!!

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

      Dont worry. Will keep you posted 😀

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

      where u @?

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        Isle of Man.

        Had an engine failure, took off - 5 minutes later turning back around flying on one engine.

        #sleazyjet

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 23 days ago

          Well at least they turned round. Could have been worse. Not much worse mind.

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

      From where > where?

      Regardless that is horrific news.

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        Isle of Man ➡ to Liverpool.

        20 mon flight, turned back after 5 minutes. Remanded due to engine failure.

        At least the Sterling and Suarez goal cheered me up.

        Thanks to all for keeping me posted.

        #FFSthebest

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    4. JELLYFISH
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      As an alcoholic with a fear of flying that is a scenario that dreams are made....

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

      they havent got an airport in Blaen-y-maes have they!?!?!?

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 23 days ago

        Closed mate. Government cuts and all that !

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

    Will Suarez still be as good with Sturridge up top??

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

      Probably. He'll have less shots, but he's also a great passer, so more assists.

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

    will Cisse be allowed take pens for Newcastle again now no Ba?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Barfa.

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    2. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Until HBA comes back.

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

    We have faith that Suarez can still get a decent run of scores with Liverpool's awful upcoming fixtures?

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  27. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Krul assist! Dammit the old Toon are back

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

    Tiote is one funny character. Gotta love his expressions.

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  29. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    Anyone else keeping Baines? Meet for a huddle after the game.... 😉

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    1. FPL Touches
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 23 days ago

      Theres your answer...

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  30. Bad Pen
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 23 days ago

    BAINES!!!! Fella assist.

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