Dugout Discussion
21 April 2013 3775 comments
Mark Mark
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Park the lawnmower and throw the kid next door a fiver to clean the car. Let nothing tear you away from the couch as Sunday presents a double bill that will surely keep us out of the sunshine, warmed only by the rays of our telly screens.

It all starts at White Hart Lane, where Spurs take on Man City in what looks a vital encounter for Andre Villas-Boas’ side. With rivals Arsenal stealing a somewhat unconvincing march on third with the win at Fulham, it’s over to Tottenham to see if they can navigate past second-placed City to earn a precious three points. As for Roberto Mancini’s side, they’re surely fighting for pride, regardless of the maths at the top of the table.

The big news from the Lane is that Gareth Bale is fit to start for Tottenham after making a rapid recovery from an ankle injury. Aaron Lennon misses out altogether, though, and with Jermain Defoe taking his place on the bench, Villas-Boas hands Clint Dempsey and Gylfi Sigurdsson places in the attacking midfield three behind Emmanuel Adebayor.

For City, Sergio Aguero only makes the bench and David Silva misses out altogether due to a hamstring problem sustained in the recent Manchester derby. Mancini opts for Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko up top and brings back the likes of Pablo Zabaleta, Matija Nastasic and Gael Clichy after resting the trio in the midweek match with Wigan.

That ample lunchtime treat is followed up by a trip to Anfield for the four o’clock kick-off, as Rafa Benitez returns to the venue of former glories. His Chelsea lineup take on a Liverpool side that’s stuttered of late and with Luis Suarez blanking in the last four, Fantasy managers will be looking for the Uruguayan to get back on track, although Daniel Sturridge, against his former club today, will also be looking to crash the party.

Our Dugout Discussion chatroom has been fired up and is ready to take you right through to the evening roast.

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

  1. JELLYFISH
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Any Chelsea team news leaking out yet? Holding out in the vain hope that Azpil doesn't play today...

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    1. Siva Mohan
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      he will start I think.. Ivan played 90 mins against Fulham!

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      1. JELLYFISH
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        I fear you are right. Clyne's 6 pts sitting on the bench 🙁

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  2. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Adebayor isn't a good enough outlet on his own. He really needs someone playing a bit close to him. The other thing of note is how poor Spurs full backs are. Still though, when you have Bale on your side you are never out of it.

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    1. Demí
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Adebayor misses VDV

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      1. JWF
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Spurs miss the Adebayor of last season.

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        1. Demí
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          True.

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      2. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Adebayor misses the need for a contract.

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        1. JWF
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          ^This

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        2. Demí
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Ha ha....

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    2. Declan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      *a fit Bale.

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    3. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Lennon is a bg loss imo.

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      1. JWF
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Agreed. In himself he isn't outstanding but he brings a balance to the team that we miss badly when he doesn't play.

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    4. CarelessGenius©
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      No spurs defenders for the DGW for me.....

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    5. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      He doesn't work well with Bale, but then, I'm not sure what striker would. Usually, the job of the player playing in the hole is to create and get on the end of knock downs. Bale is a bot of a one man band, a very very good one, but still, can't imagine it being easy to play infront of him.

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      1. charlie1X
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        ^This, his running off the ball is also very poor.

        That said its unfair to judge him when obviously not fully fit.

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      2. gebb
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        I would hate being on a team with Bale. At least if he plays left wing he can run and create something and stretch out defenses. In the middle he is just a walking shot, he's not really good at creating chances for others or spotting a good run.

        Siggy deserves the role in the hole. WIth Bale on the left, Siggy in the middle and Lennon on the right they would be really strong.

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        1. charlie1X
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          I think you'll find Defoe in the field after about 62 minutes.

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        2. Drip Doctor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Ade worked well with VDV becasue he is a very clever creator, Bale is top class, but unpredictable.

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  3. Brutus619
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Really struggling with this. Any help appreciated!

    Schwarzer, Baines, Evra & Coutinho to Hart, Walker, Clichy & Bale (-8)?

    The latter group have MUCH stronger defensive fixtures which is what's tempting me on taking these gambles.

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    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Good moves IMO.

      Would prefer vert over walker.

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      1. Brutus619
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Money problems otherwise I would go for Vert :/

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        1. super zlatan
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Fair enough. Walker still has attacking threat.

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          1. Brutus619
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah. I like the fact he's running up the field so much! Had a good chance at goal and almost assisted a goal just now this half!

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  4. Podge
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Hope a few of ye got on Bright Abbey 🙂

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  5. Rafabio
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Spurs look clueless

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    1. CarelessGenius©
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      To be fair, City are very good.

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        +1, and looking at their fixtures I'm glad I will have 3 of their players by GW35

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      2. Rafabio
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Spurs cluelessness is contributing to that

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        1. Kagawa-san-mia
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          +11111

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  6. Trigg ⭐️
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Cheers Podge 😀

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    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      NP 🙂

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      1. Trigg ⭐️
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        As a thankyou, I promise never to complain when a tip that you post doesn't come in 😉

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      2. JWF
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        What were the odds?

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        1. Podge
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          7/1

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          1. JWF
            • 16 Years
            12 years, 9 months ago

            Noice!

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  7. Siva Mohan
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Ade misses.. Sig misses..

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  8. Rafabio
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Siggy you muggggg

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  9. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Bale 🙁

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  10. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Ooof that was close. Come on City.

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  11. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Impressive so far by city.

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    1. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      impressive maybe
      Spurs very woeful makes them look even better

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  12. Kagawa-san-mia
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    In that last attack its very evident how much bale isnt involved he wasnt even in the box

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  13. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Strange performance by Bale, looks unfit to me.

    Seems to be walking around alot of the time and playing quite deep.

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      City are defending well but he's not 100% for sure.

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        true but you expect him to be making runs and pressing players

        For the one move involving parker and siggy, he was just walking near the centre spot throughout the move as players were going around him. Not seen bale do that, usually he would be begging for the ball or running to get it

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    2. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      As long as he is ready to rock against Wigan.

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    3. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Well has only had light training, next game is the one to be on'

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Remember his last return from injury? Blank first, hat-trick second 😉

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    4. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Well City are hunting them down like rabid dogs. Spurs need to up the effort for the 50/50 balls etc.

      Spurs have NO width and are relying on waiting for the full backs (esp. Walker) to join attacks and provide width. He's also having a mare with those crosses. Making Sagna look like a top class winger.

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    5. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Both Clint and Siggy want to sit infield, that isn't helping him. He feeds on some space, which he's not at all getting.

      Rest assured, the mastermind in AVB will address this. Fortunately for Spurs, it's only a 1 goal deficit to catch.

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        true, it's very congested. It's still strange to see Bale strolling around the pitch

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  14. Rossamous
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Interesting, Bale hasn't done anything all game

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  15. Crouch Potato!
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Time for coffee, and a biscuit.

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  16. kaz 96
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    I still fail to understand why people comparing Arsenal and Totenham prefer the Spurs defenders and defensive mids over Arsenal. They're not just worse at defending but also carry very little attacking threat (full backs)

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    1. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      It's because Arsenal defensive players aren't the 'popular' picks

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    2. gebb
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Vertonghen and Dawson are class and even Walker is better than Sagna. Gibbs, Monreal is much better than BAE though.

      Parker is trash, Dembele is a god.

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      1. kaz 96
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        I'd rather have Mert and Kos over Vert and Dawson tbh

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        1. Kagawa-san-mia
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          id rather have vert over mertasacker anyday

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          1. kaz 96
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 9 months ago

            I personally think he's overrated. Okay he carries incredible attacking threat but consistency has been a problem.

            Mert's been one of the defenders of the season imo.

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            1. gebb
              • 13 Years
              12 years, 9 months ago

              I agree with Mert, I just said Vert and Dawson are both class.

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      2. Professor Abel X
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Conceded:
        Arsenal 35
        Tottenham 41

        Explain that

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Arsenal defend through possession, not good defenders.

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        2. gebb
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Explain the massive 6 goal difference over 34 games? And yes, we were talking about both defensive mids AND defenders, they both contribute to letting in goals. I would take Dembele+Sandro over most defensive mids in the league. Possibly Yaya and on his best Mikel instead

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          1. Professor Abel X
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 9 months ago

            It's not a massive difference, no. But it goes against your point somewhat

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  17. mgrea
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    We always go like this. Everything becomes panicked and mental when we are favourites/pressured.

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  18. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    lol @ premature Bale owners

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    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Don't jinx it *facepalm*

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    2. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      You never learnu

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    3. Kagawa-san-mia
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      im not complaining yet but cmon hes playing so deep not looking interested at all except for that early shot

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    4. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Steady...

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    5. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I've learnt never to say this kind of thing until the end of the match 😀 It's not looking good though....

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    6. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah we should really have kept Santi for that mammoth haul vs Fulham. Oh wait...

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      1. Chu Young Ping Pong
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        😀

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      2. @ImpressiveTackl
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        😆

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  19. Donnie Chen
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Just got in - how is Bale looking? Back on it or rusty?

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    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Unfit

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      1. Kagawa-san-mia
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        i dont think its unfit, hes just not playing at all

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    2. FPLFamily (Lee)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Rusty. But City playing very well

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    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Looks fine to me, just no room in the centre of midfield.

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      1. Kagawa-san-mia
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        this
        and not interested

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  20. FPLFamily (Lee)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Picking City players feels a bit of a lottery going into the next few GWs...

    Which do you guys think are the most nailed on in defence, mid and forward? (Other than Hart)

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    1. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Tevez, Nasri, Yaya for me.

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  21. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    time to sell bale

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    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      🙂

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  22. L P
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Hi Guys,

    Any idea how to fix the FPL cookies bug on a mobile device? Thanks!

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    1. djt
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I've got it on my phone aswell 🙁

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    2. Portuguese&Proud
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      buying the official app is the only solution untill now...

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  23. kaz 96
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Djokovic-phobia strikes Nadal again

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    1. Nopli
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Federer FTW 🙂

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  24. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Any idea why Parker's playing further forward than Dembele? Surprising.

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    1. Nopli
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      If bale fails we are doomed ENR 🙁

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      1. Elniñorules
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Keep the faith Nopli!

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        1. Nopli
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          🙂

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    2. Siva Mohan
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      to be honest.. that headless chicken has forgot his role.. should change after half-time..

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      1. Elniñorules
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Seems like he's been told to do so by AVB, wouldn't blame him.

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  25. Nopli
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Half time haxball
    someone please set-up a room 🙂

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  26. FORCA INTER
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    my season couldn't be any worse recently

    after Giroud red card yesterday i did transfer same sec so my advice to avoid is Tevez cause i get him in

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    1. Nopli
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I also got Tevez last night for Carroll 😯

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    2. Siva Mohan
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      time to pray for Haz & Mata

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    3. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      lol

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    4. Red-United
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Do you have to ruin the game for everyone? jeez..

      I was going to get Tevez...

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    5. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      A part of me wants to captain Tevez in the double.

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    6. kaz 96
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I thought you were gonna captain Suarez?

      Big score coming for him today

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      1. FORCA INTER
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        1st time ever this season i log at fpl in saturday morning and i switch C

        lession learned

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  27. Burd Turglars
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Jamie Redknapp would be a great pundit for ITV

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    1. mgrea
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Keown, even better

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    2. Declan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      or Setanta, cos I dont have it.

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    3. Donnie Chen
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Top, top pundit.

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      1. Burd Turglars
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Imagine him and Townsend, talking. Just talking, incessantly.

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        1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          😆

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  28. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Cazorla was shit again so don't care

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      random comment, but very true.

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  29. FPLFamily (Lee)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Spurs last few weeks look fatigued. Wonder if AVB is regretting playing a first XI in Europa League matches throughout the season?

    Few injures lately i know, but players like Parker, Dembele, Dempsey look knackered.

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  30. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Hope you're right. My rival has him. 😉

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    1. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Reply fail to Forca.

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