Dugout Discussion
12 January 2013 4751 comments
Mark Mark
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Having suffered a weekend break for FA Cup distractions, the Premier League makes a return with no less than eight encounters on today’s agenda. Proceedings start early at Loftus Road, where Harry Redknapp’s side will look to build on the unlikely three points gained at Stamford Bridge as they tackle another daunting derby with Tottenham paying visit. That’s followed by seven three o’clock kick-offs, with Chelsea’s trip to Stoke perhaps the headline act.

Those who have invested heavily in double Gameweek assets will be hoping that Rafa Benitez’s side can muster goals against the stoic Stoke defence. With the big-guns to follow in Sunday’s programme, the Britannia clash, along with Everton’s home meeting with Swansea, look to be our best source of points from the day’s offerings.

Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now accepting visitors, providing a real-time sounding board throughout the course of today’s matches.

The team news from the QPR camp shows starts for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ji-sung Park, with Junior Hoilett and Esteban Granero making way. As for Spurs, they bring Gareth Bale back into their starting lineup, with Gylfi Siggurdsson dropping out. Michael Dawson partners Jan Vertonghen in central defence, with Kyle Naughton recalled at left-back.

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

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

    So Naughton plays, and he plays good again, better than Walker. I told you he'll not be so easy to drop.

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    1. Grumpy Camel
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      although walkers good is very good he is too fancy and needless turns the ball over a few times a game usually giving a decent chance away, id be happy to bench him personally.

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      1. Grumpy Camel
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        like that

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  2. DD11
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    On a WC, team is linked. Any ideas on transfers?

    So far I've done:
    Cuellar > Demel
    Rafael > Gibbs
    Mata > Walcott
    Hazard > Cazorla

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

      u better have a strategy for getting rid of the DGWers after this week

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      1. DD11
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Gibbs > Rafael next week
        Walcott > Mata week after

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  3. JD
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    best site to stream the game?

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    1. Champy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Sky go

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      1. Thomass
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        🙂

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Google.com

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    3. hnmfm
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      try this http://www.bestsitetostreamthegame.com

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    4. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      BBC iPlayer

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

      Google first row sports

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  4. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Spurs look poor when the play with 2 strikers. Yet every time I say this they usually score 😕

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

      i never fancied defoe and adebayor together tbh
      i think depmsey for ade would be more balanced

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      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Definitely, Harry knew how to get the most out of the players

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    2. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Yup, I have no idea why AVB does this. Clearly not working.

      Ade off. Dempsey on.

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      1. Grumpy Camel
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        this

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  5. FINALLY POGREBYNYAK SCORES
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    3 saves credited to Cesar already!

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      1st 5 mins.

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  6. Billy Ketsu
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    From the BBC

    GAME OFF

    I'm afraid the League One game between Portsmouth and Notts County has been postponed because of apathy at Fratton Park. It never rains but it pours for Pompey fans.

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    1. Thomass
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      😕

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  7. Birthday Sess
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    "They do have the players to MURDER any defence" Classic ESPN commentaary.

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    1. Birthday Sess
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      *commentary

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      1. The Assassin-Faced BabyDave
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        commentaary daaarling

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  8. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    early to type this but who else is hoping for a Gareth Fail?

    (Cue goal)

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    1. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      me

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    2. The Assassin-Faced BabyDave
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      depends - they've got the measure of him (tracking back in DROVES while keeping the line and keeping him wide). He'll start moving into the middle 2nd half

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  9. Mile Plankton
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Adebayor is awful today.

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    1. Mile Plankton
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Correct that. Totenham is awful today.

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      1. Rafabio
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Tough for any team when every opposing player bar the keeper is behind the ball.

        Spurs need another forward minded man in the middle.

        Ade off for Dempsey if it stays like this for much longer IMO.

        Maybe Dempsey should've come on for Sandro...

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        1. Mile Plankton
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 13 days ago

          It was too early to get him in.

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

      He's been awful all season. He must be amazing in training because I can't understand why AVB persists with him

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      1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        He does the Maradona 7 trick a lot

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      2. Mile Plankton
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Not too many options there. Demsey only. And he's been struggling this season.

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

          Siggy att mid if you only play 1 striker up top. Dempsey can alos play there or even Bale, with Dempsey playing LW

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        2. Grumpy Camel
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 13 days ago

          siggy would be better too, parker plays too deep as he is now too slow to catch back up on counter. go to 4 2 3 1.
          at least lennon and bale swapped wings late, looked a little better

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    3. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      This season* 😉

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  10. cechmate
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Can't believe Spurs only have 2 in central midfield. Making it very easy for QPR

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  11. fdotman
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    very very boring half of football

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    1. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Its that bad Im going to opt for Bargain Hunt!

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      1. Birthday Sess
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Can't watch it. The presenter's teeth are just too awful!

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

    Did Wenger really say this: "It is painful to see Manchester United so far in front of us, you know when you sell Robin van Persie to United that will be the case."

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  13. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Oh dear SWP...what a lovely run...what a terrible decision to shoot

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  14. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Wright Philips should've done better.

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

    I have to agree with Granville. The DGW is clouding things next week as we're all looking at Arsenal and West Ham players when Liverpool have Norwich at home and City have Fulham at home

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    1. An Púca
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      i agree with that
      fulham at the Ethiad = lots of goals...but will Aguero make it back in time

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    2. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      True but i don't think it's going to cost us points.

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    3. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Hence why i kept Suarez. Also i wouldnt be surprised if Berba gets something

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    4. The Assassin-Faced BabyDave
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Zackly : me Ba> (back to) Suarez

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

      kind of but the dgw teams next week have QPR(H) and WHAM(H)

      This week Chelsea had SOT(H)

      That's three great games regardless of DGW

      vil(A) isn't bad either right now.

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  16. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Time for a 90 minute nap before Chelsea?

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    1. Mindless Freak
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Go for it, you'll feel fresh and won't have to bear the pain of the boring wait.

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      The last time I left at half time of a Spurs game it was 0-0 and then Bale scored a hattie 😉

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      1. Egg noodle
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Please leave again 🙂

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  17. Birthday Sess
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Great turn and run from SWP. Awful finish.

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  18. Mindless Freak
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Will this be a game of 2 halves? Lennon hattrick next half?

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    1. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      I think so. AVB has to change and Harry should have a crack at the W the longer it stays. Something will give, surely?

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    2. Perthite
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      I should think so - I don't think games have been changed to four quarters.

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      1. Mindless Freak
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Good one 😛

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  19. Egg noodle
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Sack AVB! 🙄

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  20. unoaime
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Any decent comedy films out recently? Feel like downloading and watching one.

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    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      7 Psychopaths. Thank me later 😉

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

      Seven psychopaths is clever and funny

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  21. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    What a fetid, steaming pile of guano this half has been.

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  22. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Operation 'No Bale' going OK. Half way to mission accomplished.

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    1. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      I don't want to jinx it but he's been massively quiet so far.

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Anyone bookmarking?

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    3. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Yeah but then, all his goals against villa came in the second half. Fingers crossed

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    4. Pinoche
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      +1

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    5. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      0-0 HT against Villa was followed by a hat-trick so not getting my hopes up just yet. But they were all over Villa that game...this looks like it could be a lot tighter.

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    6. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      😀

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    7. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      +1 Gran, my biggest fear this GW was not having him. My second one is captaining RVP...One thing at a time.

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    8. Smellbobs
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      famous last words...

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        I did say half way. Not counting any chickens, he's too good.

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    9. John Nerdelbaum
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      You've jinxed it now Granville 🙁

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

    The early wildcarders will be looking at how to replace Bale. The late WC'ers will be busy redrafting their plans!

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

      if it comes to it, Bale out, Mata in.

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    2. The Assassin-Faced BabyDave
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Today's day name will have a 'y' in it.

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    3. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      I'm plaaning on getting him, when i use my WC

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    4. heeljames
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      IMO Bale is still essential, although Lennon is awfully temping at his price

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    5. John Nerdelbaum
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Hasn't changed my thoughts at all. First name in my team when I WC (along with RVP)

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

    HT...lol at bale owners

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      10-4

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    2. hnmfm
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      http://i.imgur.com/J0ELd.gif

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      1. Nopli
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        +1000

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      2. John Nerdelbaum
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        😆

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

        im a bale owner 😉

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  25. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Loving this QPR performance, looking good so far...cheeky Taarabt winner coming up

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

      This ^^

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  26. Spencer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Demi time yet?

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      25 mins

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      1. Spencer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Cheers Billy.

        Sorry, didn't mean the first post to sound so demanding!

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 13 days ago

          It wasn't, just saying it's at 2pm 🙂

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  27. Joga Bonito®
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    The ref hates Taarabt, you can tell he's going to get nothing out of him all game.

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  28. _Greg
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    So whose got 4 Chelsea? Did it defo work then?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Not me but of course it would.

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    2. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      The DGW was confirmed after ba's switch on FPL so i really doubt it

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      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        There was a few hours of opportunity. I was so close to doing bale> hazard for 4 Chelsea but missed it by 15 mins. Gutted!

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

        nah - everybody was talking about it before that. People brought 4 in before the fa cup game

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      3. kaz 96
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        The DGW was confirmed after chelsea's victory over SOT

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    3. Feed the Yak and he will sc…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      it worked

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      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Thanks. Just in case the opportunity arose again

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  29. King Nemanja
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Whether or not I wildcard tonight possibly depends on whether Berbatov will rise or not tonight, need a goal from him today to get another 300 transfers in

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  30. jamsiep
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 13 days ago

    Cahill out of today's match, wife due to give birth.

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

      terry no doubt will be there claiming it

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      1. blue cheese
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        😆

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      2. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        😀

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    2. jamsiep
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Bloody annoying, although wasn't expecting a clean sheet at Stoke. Hopefully he plays and scores against Southampton.

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

        wow so your not messing?

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        1. jamsiep
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 13 days ago

          Nope, it's all true.

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    3. Waldaz
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Oh, so many cases this year.

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    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      6 x 180s. 128 checkout. #darts

      All true?

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      1. jamsiep
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 13 days ago

        Haha yeah, been on fire recently!

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    5. BONZ
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 13 days ago

      Ivanovic to keep hi place then.........

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