Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 27

I’ve got to admit, I’ve been treading water for days. Stricken by man-flu that has me sweating Lemsip and coughing up Fishermen’s Friends, I’ve also been struck by the dull hiatus caused by the FA Cup weekend. A rude interruption to our flow of Gameweeks, my Fantasy Football flame has been doused and I’m wading through snot-ridden tissues to rekindle it.

My spirits are not helped by the fact that, like so many Fantasy managers this weekend, I’m struggling for a starting XI and left praying at the alter of Guy Demel. The Hammers full-back is unlikely to figure against Spurs, even less likely to earn points if he does and yet, for the last seven days, he’s had his full fifteen minutes of Fantasy fame, as we scratch around for eleven men.

With Gameweek 29’s blanks looming large, this is truly a testing time for us all. It would have been nice to approach it feeling match fit. Instead, I’ve had to try to find space in my mucus-filled bonce to decode the various fixture configurations that lie in store. In the end, I gave up and left it to Paul.

For a while this week, I took some comfort in the fact that Wayne Rooney shared my pain. Ruled out of Monday’s FA Cup clash with Reading with sinusitis, Sir Alex was quick to count him out of the equation for the trip to QPR later today. I had visions of Rooney, wrapped in a duvet, slippering the floor while Colleen scampered up with another can of lager and a packet of Oreos. Another worthy man, battling back from the brink. Or so I thought.

Friday’s pictures from the United training ground showed Rooney cutting a sprightly figure, seemingly untroubled by the crippling illness that would allegedly rule him out of today’s game. It remains to be a seen if his recovery is completed by an appearance on the Loftus Road turf: I haven’t got the patience to try to second-guess Sir Alex on that one.

Not surprisingly, the press have turned their backs on the prospect of Rooney figuring today, with Danny Welbeck seemingly the favoured partner for Robin Van Persie up top. Only the Telegraph dare to suggest that Javier Hernandez will get a start in West London – the solitary paper of our six this morning that grant the Mexican the opportunity: Welbeck, either in support or shifted wide with Shinji Kagawa starting, is the preferred solution to Rooney’s absence. Four of our papers suggest that Nani will be handed a start: we’re also backing that concept by promoting the unpredictable Portuguese with our differential pick this week.

The City lineup also causes conjecture and, again, the press are torn on Roberto Mancini’s forward line. Having shed Edin Dzeko from my squad, this is the first Saturday in months where I haven’t lay at the mercy of Mancini’s whims and, typically, it’s another difficult call going into Sunday’s clash with Chelsea. Both the Telegraph and the Independent start with Dzeko up with Sergio Aguero – the rest all keep Carlos Tevez in the role, with the Bosnian left to warm the timber once more.

Marc Wilson’s fitness has been a hot topic over the past week and, with the left-back safely in our predicted lineup for the trip to Fulham, you know where we stand on his availability today. Three of the morning papers also agree with us – the Telegraph, The Sun and The Mail all have Wilson back in the Stoke lineup for the early kick-off at the Cottage.

Elsewhere, there are few surprises on show – personally, I don’t share the confidence that seems to be held by the entire press regarding Sunderland’s 4-4-2 at West Brom: every paper this morning has Danny Graham up alongside Steven Fletcher for the Hawthorns encounter.

The only really bugbear spotted comes amongst the pages of the Telegraph who, for one reason or another, have chosen to omit Juan Mata from their Chelsea lineup for Sunday’s Etihad test. Of course, every other source names the Spaniard in their side, with no evidence to suggest otherwise. The Telegraph’s decision is clearly an oversight, perhaps prompted by similar symptoms to my own. Sitting here typing through a blur of Paracetamol, I can certainly let that one pass.

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

1,513 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Demel must be the most talked about defender of all time.

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    1. Rossamous
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      He should play in the Australian or Irish league. Definitely not BPL material. Hamburg were definitely quick to shite him out

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    2. @FuzzyWarbles
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      there was a time when Ahmed Al-Muhammadi was the most talked about defender of all time.

      🙂

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    3. Goaldigger
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say wilson is in with a shout of clinching that title...

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  2. Rossamous
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    My mini rival is creating a super team but mustn't have a clue about GW 29. This could be good.

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  3. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    So was bored and quickly browsed through the captaincy choices of the top 50. Something like this(approximate figures)

    Theo - 54%
    RVP - 38%
    Bale - 4%
    Podolski - 2%
    Santi - 2%

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    1. Aditya K
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Theo all the way!!

      Haxball?

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        Not at the moment mate..

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        1. Aditya K
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          Cool.. GL btw for the GW. Can't wait for tomo's day of play! Sachin 😀

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          1. Lateriser 12
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 1 month ago

            😀 Me too

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    2. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      If we had the new comments voting system in place then you would have my vote. I love crap stats!

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      1. Chu Young Ping Pong
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        -rep

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    3. Efan Ekoku Pops
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      I'm hoping they all do equally well this week 😀

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    4. tw
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      so you were one of just 2 bale captainers?

      who'd the game captain? theo?

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        II don't know who captained who.
        I went to the overall page
        Clicked open in new tab 49 times. And then quickly browsed through. Yes, only 2 people captained Bale.

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        1. tw
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          fair enough. interesting

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  4. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Who will win this H2H?

    Me: Bego Harte Mertesacker Giroud Lambert RVP Bale (c)
    Opp: Migs Pearce Rafael Sissoko Cisse Bale RVP(c)

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    1. Kostja
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      impossible to tell IMO. I like RVP C over Bale, so that could decide it.

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    2. bradbury1
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      thats me vs you 🙂 goodluck but not that much luck 😉

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      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        Same to you bro

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  5. Screaming Midget
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Can you add different things to an accumulator such as:

    Berbatov anytime scorer
    Cisse anytime scorer
    Team A to win

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  6. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    The Bad News: had to learn deep breathing exercised as therapy for post traumatic stress disorder.

    The Good News: this newly-learned exercise should come in handy on Saturdays. 🙂

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    1. @FuzzyWarbles
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      *exercises

      they didnt bother teaching me how to spell

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        1. tw
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          think you missed my comment to you before

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          1. @FuzzyWarbles
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 1 month ago

            caught it, cheers!

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  7. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Repost, bottom of last page

    What will be the match with the most goals in it this round do you think?

    I’m thinking of placing a bet at 6.5 in odds for Reading vs Wigan to be that match!

    ? 🙂

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    1. @FuzzyWarbles
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      id consider that or arsenal/villa

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        This i reckon..

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    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      West Brom v Sunderland.

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    3. tw
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      arsenal villa

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  8. jelly.john
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    GW 29 balnk manu v.s westham and city v.s wigan any other teams blank too ?

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    1. No Arsene Around
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      i thought potentially Everton and one other

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      1. jelly.john
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        thanx

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      theres a link at the top in the article explaining the permutations...... "left it to paul"

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      1. jelly.john
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        thanx dude

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    3. Rossamous
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      MUFC is the most likely because they have CL as well. City could be shifted to midweek, so we will wait and see if it gets changed. Chelsea vs. Fulham is another blank possibility pending their result this midweek in the fa cup. Chelsea have the Europa league so they are unlikely to have a game shifted to midweek. Arsenal vs. Everton is the fourth and final possibility. That is also pending the progress of Everton in the FA cup this midweek. Therefore, Chelsea and MUFC are the most likely to have blanks because of their europe commitments. The other two are just possibilities and we need to wait on the word. I think I have this correct anyways.

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      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        United v Real is March 5th. They're grand for GW29 on 11th or 12th.

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      2. jelly.john
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        thnx mate

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  9. gobind2311
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    mignolet
    martin R, clyne, harte
    walcott (c), sissoko (vc), fellaini, mata
    podolski, RVP, Ba.
    what say????

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  10. Locarno
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Berba hat-trick, Wilson og. Job done.

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      I used to like you 😉

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      boooourns

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  11. The Shadow
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    56 point hit. My UEFA opponent is calling it quits for the season.

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/20925/event-history/27/

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      😆 love it when people go completely off the reservation

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      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        I know exactly how he feels.

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Who is this?

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    3. tw
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      who is that?

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      1. The Shadow
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        Rebeldogg

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        1. tw
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          which league?

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          1. The Shadow
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 1 month ago

            Budesliga

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    4. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      😕 Who is he?

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  12. bradbury1
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    who do u thinks going to win this cup match??

    Begovic,Harte ,Mertesacker ,Bale CPT ,Giroud ,Lambert ,Van Persie

    vs

    Mignolet ,Pearce ,Rafael ,Bale ,Sissoko ,Cisse Van Persie CPT

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  13. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    a plate of blue cheese, honey, crackers, and a glass of wine on the side

    now hoping for a vintage Stoke rugby performance

    ah, Saturday footy is here

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Blue cheese, wonderful, try it in scrambled eggs sometime.

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    2. No Arsene Around
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Blue cheese and Honey - is that peanut butter and jelly?

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      1. Crouch Potato!
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        Another classic!

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    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      wow what a 'footy/rugby lads' lunch 😉

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  14. No Arsene Around
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Jake the dog- love the Grav bro

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  15. SW6
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    C'mon Fulham!

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  16. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    1-1

    (Karagounis, Whelan)

    lets do this.

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  17. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Score check.

    -7

    You?

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    1. @FuzzyWarbles
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      BPs already out then? 😉

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    2. SW6
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      0 from 0 😉

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    3. tw
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      0pts

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    4. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      I daren't look.

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  18. Efan Ekoku Pops
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    I was looking forward to playing real-life football this afternoon, but the ref has called the game off for a frozen pitch!!! Gutted is not the word.

    What should I do instead?

    A) Watch the footballing spectacle that is Fulham v Stoke .
    B) Watch some more episodes of Breaking Bad.
    C) Demel > Wilson

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    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Swap between a and B

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      1. Efan Ekoku Pops
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        Sound advice 🙂

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  19. Nopli
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Cameron.
    Lets do this 😉

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Bloody Tories.

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  20. Spike ⚽️
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson just took a throw in and came thru it unscathed 😉

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    1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      He could have died.

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      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        SAF quote?

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  21. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Go Sidwell, prove em wrong Doos!!!

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  22. Locarno
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Berba looks busy. Nearly broke into a jog then.

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah. I saw it too!

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      I hope he's not injured himself.

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    3. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Left his fags in the dressing room.

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  23. Goaldigger
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Watched five mins of this and can already feel a yawn coming on. 0-0 for sure.

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think it will be scoreless!

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  24. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Ok chaps watching Sky Sports? Haven't u heard the commentator? Cameron given the free role !! In your face 😀 😛 !! ahhahaha Come onnnnn Cameronnnnn!!!

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2013/02/23/the-pre-match-preamble-gameweek-27/comment-page-13/#comment-5250885

    Next quote from the game Cameron is furthest forward 😉 😛 Yeahhh get in !!!

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    1. Red-United
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Mate I think he is playing RB.

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      1. The Finnisher
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        He's not, he's playing CAM.

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          Well watch Sky Sport. I am out

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        2. Red-United
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          Ah feck knows, I'm not gonna put on that game to check.

          If he just keeps a clean sheet I'll be happy.

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  25. Locarno
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    It's going to be a long day for the Fulham defenders if they keep playing like this.

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  26. Locarno
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Dimitar!!! I could have scored that. 🙁

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  27. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Yer man the Stoke lad Jerome Cameron is very versatile 😉

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  28. TheKingThierry
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    LOOOL EVANS

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  29. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    rvp back next week?

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