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. Viper
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Would you better off going for a Chelsea defender or Swansea defender for the double?

    Basically:

    Luiz (MNU, tot) or Rangel (MNC, wig)

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    1. New Ghost
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Still Chelsea

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

      swansea better chance of at least one cleansheet
      chelsea will concede both games imo

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

      City Spurs WBrom for me I hope

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

        WBA away to City in one of the game though, only thing turning me off them..

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        1. Silly Sausage
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Go for a player with 1 game that is more likely to get a CS? Diff in that?

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

          Thats the match before the cup though so might be resting most big players, could squeak a 0-0

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  2. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    What is it with Chelsea and backheels today?!

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

      They're all very small players, they love any kind of heels

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        😆

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

        😆

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

    I've lost count how many times Liverpool have given away the ball or been easily intercepted. Pathetic performance so far...only good player has been Enrique

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    1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Tbf, Liverpool have looked like the better side

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

        lol

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    2. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      It's been pretty bad, no way will they play as badly second half.

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

    Who is most likely to play the double gameweek in defence for city. Got 5.8 to spend.

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

      Really don't think any of them in that category will get 2 games. I'd probably go Kolarov as he will most likely start the 2nd game which looks the most profitable..

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      1. Back to Back Ballacks
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        I don't think any City player will play twice, maybe Dzeko

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

          Stupid city!

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

      What about spurs then? Dawson looks a decent shout

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    3. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think anyone can say, but Clichy looks like he could be the best bet (since Kompany is out of the price bracket).

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

      Nailed on general ranking

      1) Goalkeeper (Hart)
      2) CB (Nasty)
      3) FB (Kolorov for massive punt, judging by Man City after he came on today, I'd say NO!)

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  5. Viper
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    This day is panning out exactly how I didn't want as an Arsenal fan 🙁

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    1. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      City win would have been nice but it's not bad as a Chelsea fan 🙂

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    2. Plagued by indecision
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Liverpool to come back and win in the 2nd half.

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    3. gunnerlover
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      +1

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  6. New Ghost
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Kudos to Spurs. Huge win.

    This battle for the CL places is making me nervous.

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

      I hope Wigan come up with their typical end of season performance next week.

      Been an awful day so far

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      1. New Ghost
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Yep; will become the biggest Wigan fan next week.

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      2. lets av em
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        hopefully they turn you over at the emirates like they did last season.

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  7. Back to Back Ballacks
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Santiago, weren't you meant to be going to United Villa but you turned it down?

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

    was lambert much of a threat yesterday im thinking of getting rid?

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

      cheers for the replies

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

        was just thinking that 🙂

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  9. COMH
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Is The Outsiders a good read?

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

      I don't read.

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

        Not a question for you then little guy. Happy Hax 😉

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

      You doing it for school?

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

        No just considering if it's worth starting.

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

          It's meant to be alright (alright means great to me).

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    3. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      the book by Hinton?

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

        Yeah

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    4. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      yeah its excellent. quite a classic!

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      1. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        although generally for youngsters I think - I haven't read it since many many years ago so i don't know if I'd enjoy it now.. but back then I thought it was bloody awesome.

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

    Should've benched GJ and played Demel..

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

      You did a great job Chu .
      Jussi 8 points and Bale 13 points 😎
      Team SA is proud to have you

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    2. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I should have captained mertesacker 🙄

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  11. Sánchez
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Gutted I kept Suarez now ...
    No wait, I don't have Suarez.
    HAHAHA.
    No goals in 4.5 games now.
    Yeeeaaaaaaahhhh.
    😉

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    1. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I'm still nervous watching. I won't be happy until the final whistle blows

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  12. Joga Bonito®
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Terrible defending by Agger for that goal. We definitely need reinforcements in defence over the summer. Coutinho and Henderson also been pretty bad so far today.

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

    After GW 31

    RVP and Bale > Suarez and Coutinho (-4)

    GW 32: 2(4) and 2
    GW 33: 2 and 2
    GW 34: 1* and 1*

    ;(

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

      against West ham and Reading too 🙁

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

        Should have got Carroll instead 🙁

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    2. Plagued by indecision
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I've had Suarez for about 5 games now, and he's been so frustrating. He could have had six or seven in the WHU/RDG games. But NONE. He's effectively cost me my mini-league (well, more accurately, Liverpool have because aside from him and Gerrard they're awful).

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  14. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Lukaku is just the sort of player I like for FPL - always involved and looking threatening whenever WBA on the attack. Just a shame he is prone the RoClarkeTation

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      *to

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    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      yep, simply look at his record in starts this season on his FPL history page.
      it may sound odd but i enjoy the buzz of waiting for the team sheet withguys like lukaku, when you see his name there it feels amazing

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Although, even if he's on the bench all is not lost with a player like him

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        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          yeah. a shame he missed that penalty the other week, always great to have that in the locker too

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

      10 goals from 15 starts, best stats in the division.....next year's man.

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

    A Rooney hattrick would just put the icing on the cake for this GW. Grrrr!

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

      I'll have a slice of that!

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    2. Plagued by indecision
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      just as long as RVP does nowt

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  16. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Hey guys, am 0.3 off Afro -> Bale, any ideas how to fit him in?

    DDG / 3.9
    Zaba / Enrique / Sagna / Wilson / Demel
    Walcott / Afro / Mata / Michu / Maloney
    Berbs / RVP / Suarez

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      enrique>dawson

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

      Walcott -> Bale?

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    3. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Berba to lukaku fell to bale

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

    JWF , HAX? 😉

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

      FFS 123

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

        After the match now . Cheers 🙂

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  18. Rinseboy
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    best 3 defenders and keeper for DGW?

    I'm thinking

    Robles
    Vertonghen Luiz Kompany?

    Would rather Azpi and Zab over Luiz and Kompany but it sounds like there are rotation issues?!

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  19. Bring on the shots
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Hope Rafeal doesn't play tomorrow...

    Any chance of this ...

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Not much chance there

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    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      with smalling and jones fit yeah. would still back rafael tostart though

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    3. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      25%

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

      Slim to none. Home game against Villa in title clinching game.

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    5. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      All 1st team players will be on show to pick up the title Rafa will play all the way

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  20. New Ghost
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Any Aguero owners around? Looking to get him in this week (DGW prep); any news on his injury?

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

      Was on the bench.

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      He was on the bench today, not 100% or he would have come on but should be ok for next week

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

      The fact he was on the bench is a good sign, but the league is over, who knows how many mins he'll play.

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    4. New Ghost
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers all.

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  21. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Studge on for Henderson?

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    1. Live4pool
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      hopefully for downing

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  22. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    something i learned today, you can't spell zabaleta without bale

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

      😆

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

        I bet you learned this on the fiso site

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        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 9 months ago

          yep fiso, definitely not whilst doing the baps for that match

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

      😀

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

      I learnt that a while back when searching for bale on FISO 😉

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

        😯

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    4. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      lol

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

      Noiceeeeeeee

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    6. /
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      You typed Bale in on fiso to discover that didn't you?

      I know because I did and noticed the same thing! 😉

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

      😆
      Nice

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    8. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      My friend figured this out yesterday. He sent me a text along the lines of "why is Bale only half the players Zabaleta is"

      Needless, to say there was much hilarity when he told me the punch line.

      Not

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    9. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      anticipated a couple of (deserved) "cool story bros." surprised

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  23. Bring on the shots
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Taking about a 24 hit to field 11 dgw players over the next 2 weeks to try and get to ML leader 40 points away... They'll have 5-6 dgw players...

    Only a game 😉 never know it could work

    They have mata, ill choose hazard ... Etc ... He who risks

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    1. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Good luck but that sounds foolish

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  24. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Lucas moved away from the post and hid behind Reina for the goal!? Jeeeez

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    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      very odd and you can actually speculate that it was the difference between a goal and no goal. makes so sense what he's doing behind reina

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      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Strange. Very strange.

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

      He wanted to test Reina.

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    3. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      A classic play from the Nasri school of defending.

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  25. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    I would not be surprised to see Sturridge get on to something you often see a player do good against there old club

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  26. /
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    So with Man Utd winning the league tomorrow night, is it now a good idea to sell RVP?

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    1. Plagued by indecision
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      going to after tomorrow

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

      Nope

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    3. Live4pool
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      i'm sure fergie wants rvp to get the golden boot

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    4. New Ghost
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Selling him for sure.

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    5. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      ferguson mentioned the points record (95) last week, you can bet he'll be going all out for that. RVP is arguably the first name on the man utd team sheet and i can't see that changing until gw39

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

      to whom though?
      aguero?
      defoe?
      ba?

      no one I can trust.
      already have tevez.

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  27. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Bale's got the 3 bonus wrapped up right?

    Just need Chelsea to bang in a couple more and this Sunday's perfect. Not that I have any of their players, I just despise Liverpool...then again don't we all!?

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

      indeed...

      mata can sod off tho

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    2. Live4pool
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 9 months ago

      🙄

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  28. tobesthetoffee
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Yaya or Silva or Nasri

    will any play twice?

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  29. Licky
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Oh, the new Audi has been tested by a fictional character? I may just trade in the Clown Car.

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  30. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Sturridge coming on...

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