634x258 Dugout Discussion
23 December 2013 4978 comments
Paul Paul
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An all-London affair at the Emirates brings the curtain down on Gameweek 17 this evening. Plenty of Fantasy favourites are on show as the Gunners look for the win that would extend their lead to four points over the chasing pack:

For the hosts, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil are the main protagonists for Fantasy managers, whilst Theo Walcott will be looking to maintain the form that saw him score twice at the Etihad last weekend.

Jose Mourinho’s side roll up on the back of a poor form of form on the road. The Blues have been beaten in three of their last four away games in all competitions but know that a victory will draw them level with the Gunners on 36 points. Eden Hazard will be desperate to have his say before Fantasy managers turn our attentions to the Gameweek 18 fixtures on Boxing Day.

The team news sees the hosts make four changes from the side that lost 6-3 at City last time around. Kieran Gibbs and Thomas Vermaelen are drafted in for Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny at the back, with the Frenchman sidelined due to a knee wound. Mikel Arteta partners Aaron Ramsey in the double-pivot, with Mathieu Flamini dropping out, whilst Tomas Rosicky gets the nod on the left, replacing the suspended Jack Wilshere. Lukas Podolski warms the Gunners bench along with the likes of Santi Cazorla.

The Blues make three alterations from the XI that edged past Palace. Gary Cahill replaces David Luiz in defence, whilst John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard are drafted into midfield – Michael Essien drops out through suspension while Juan Mata takes his place on the bench, allowing Ramires to move onto the right of the attacking midfield three. Oscar, Andre Schurrle and Samuel Eto’o are also amongst the subs, with Fernando Torres leading the line again.

Once again, we’ve opened the Dugout Discussion chatroom for those partial to some real-time reaction.

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  1. The Chosen One...
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsey benching due....most I got from him was an assist FFS

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  2. gufc
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    who is the best choice for captain for boxing day

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    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Mike Tyson.

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  3. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I am now on 1,100 points 😎

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    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Me too

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    2. Evans
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      1043 here

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    3. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Not even passed 1k yet 😥

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

        Wow

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    4. Saint Domingo
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Nice Ron,very nice mate

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    5. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      1071

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    6. hixen
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      1111 😀

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  4. Robe Wan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Two teams with terrible strikers draw 0-0. Shock

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  5. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    which 2 options from chelsea defence is the best for the next 2 games ?

    1. azpilicueta
    2. ivanovic
    3 terry

    ?

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    1. DÏLKS
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Terry, Ivan and Azpil, in that order.

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  6. DÏLKS
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Lads, am I good to save the FT?

    ----------------------Howard----------------------
    ----Vlaar----Terry----Coleman----Ward----
    ------------Ozil---Ramsey---Hazard---------
    -----Rooney(C)----Suarez----Lukaku-------

    Bench: £4.0, Livermore, Chester, Morrison.

    I do want Silva and Wally in my side, but they can wait till next week for me.

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  7. Ady87
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    You do t mind taking hits, you have £1.7m in the bank and 1 freebie. What do you do with this team?

    Marshall

    Evans - Kompany - Distin

    Hazard - Silva - Walcott - Ramsey

    Suarez - Rooney - Nwgredo

    Subs: Whittaker - Pozuelo - Rosenior

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    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Downgrade Kompany

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      1. Ady87
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Who to? He is £6.2, already downgraded him from Terry when £6.6m. Open to ideas.

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        1. Robe Wan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Hmmm, sagna/mert/jags/debuchy

          City keep conceding

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  8. Adderz
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Fulham defender worth a short term punt? Them fixtures...

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      riether?

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  9. Evans
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Whose getting in Baines ?

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

      he's a maybe for gw19

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    2. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      he is tempting me as hell. Though if so, I'll go for him since GW19

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    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      i thought about Terry + GJ to Baines + Bardsley next week.. but i'm slowly learning to go with the flow this season so i may not do it. the obvious options seem to be the best ones

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    4. Shakshuka
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Zab+Sess for Baines+Cabaye my most likely moves this GW

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    5. chandramouli
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      am removing mcauley and getting baines... tempted to even captain him

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  10. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    As a Coleman owner uptil GW 9 who sold him cause he had "tough fixtures" and had got a string of 2;s in 5 games.. i was weighin up Terry to coleman this week but i fear i may be repeating history with that move as chelsea looked very sound tonight. Already got distin.. keep terry for sure right?? the fixtures aint that bad tbh

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    1. Nibbsy
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Same. Switched him for GJ based on fixtures. Think we've missed the boat on his goals now personally.

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      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Honestly thinkin of just sticking with terry now.. though a switch to baines next week looks far too temptin

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        1. Nibbsy
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          I'm sticking with Terry this week at least. Might get Baines on WC to cover Coleman, as can't see many Colman owners switching or doubling up.

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    2. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Agree. Keep. Quality players get the points in the end.

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

    Best Amalfitano replacement under 5.4

    1) Barkley (got Lukaku)
    2) Whittingham
    3) other

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  12. GK
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Ozil > Walcott this week
    Nasri > Silva next week?

    Both seem like extremely sideways but logical moves. Thoughts chaps?

    1 FT, 0.3m in the bank.

    Krul
    Distin, Shaw, Gabbidon
    Hazard, Ozil, Nasri, Ramsey
    Rooney, Suarez, Negredo

    (Daniels)(Januzaj, Chester, Collins)

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    1. Evans
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      That is is what I've done

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  13. UKG
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    A rival took a 12 point hit this week, and I was thinking that's going to hurt bad. Just shows what happens with a bit of luck. Annoying.

    His moves:

    Vorm > Krul (8)

    Aguero > Lukaku (2)

    Lallana > Cabaye (11)

    Brunt > Silva (10)

    Dawson > Evans (2)

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    1. Evans
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I can understand the Aguero and Vorm but not the others

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      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Sure Lallana got 12!

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  14. Demí
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Wenger: 'I will have to rest everybody at some stage. [I made no subs] because I had plenty of attacking players on the pitch'

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

      But I thought only Ozil will be rested after reading some of the posts on here 😯

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    2. Evans
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Tbh I didn't notice .....

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    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      ozil, walcott and ramsey rested

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      1. Scottys Army
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Wally is knackered poor boy

        2 full games in months

        wow

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        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          😆 it's bemba mate. his reputation for scaremongering precedes him

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          1. Scottys Army
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            silly me lol

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          2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            oh piss off. It's my opinion. So I guess we can't even give an opinion anymore? Everytime I give an opinion it's scaremongering.

            Get stuffed, I am sick of it

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

              Every time you give an opinion it's stating that a highly owned player won't play, and before you bring up points about why Ozil/Walcott/Ramsey will be rested, stop, you do it all the time.

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            2. Valar(Keith)
              • 16 Years
              12 years, 1 month ago

              🙂 .. no hard feelings. you have made me second guess my startin 11 about 18 times in the past 18 gameweeks mate...
              Again.. i'm just messing

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              1. Valar(Keith)
                • 16 Years
                12 years, 1 month ago

                dont wanna start a fight. it's just that you do it a bit far too often. No sources etc to back you up but ppl on here tend to take it seriously. anyway.. moving on..

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            3. Breadbin
              • 15 Years
              12 years, 1 month ago

              Fake anger, fooled no-one.

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        2. The Finnisher
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          2 full games after brief cameos and an injury for months, with 3 games coming in the next 8 days, yeah.

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  15. Nibbsy
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Think I'm going to sacrifice all my principles and get Yaya instead of Silva. Just damage limitation and fear.

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    1. Evans
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Get silva mun

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    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Yaya is not involved as much in attack as his points suggest.. his points will diminish while silva's will stay steady.. (been sayin this all season 🙁 )

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      1. Nibbsy
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        He's not involved at all, but he's on pens and FKs. He's killing me in MLs so just want to cover him for a few weeks. Don't like it one bit though.

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      2. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Get Silva! he is immense

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        1. Nibbsy
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          So is Yaya and he's on pens!

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  16. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Yaya toure

    "If it's to come to City, I hope Messi can leave Barca," Toure told the Manchester Evening News.

    Blues full-back Zabaleta revealed his international team-mate often asks about life at the Etihad.

    "He asked me a lot about City," said Zabaleta. "It's something we often talk about."

    http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/312/9086577/yaya-leads-messi-to-city-calls

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    1. Evans
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      No chance

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      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Txiki Begiristain can do the trick maybe. 😉

        City are a very well managed club with huge financial resources. Would be a huge coup.

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        1. Robe Wan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Would cost €200m

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          1. pundit of punts
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Pocket change for Sheik Monsour.

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      2. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Don't bet on it....

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    2. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      😯

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    3. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      If only for the weather

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  17. Feed tha Sheep
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    What the story with zab?
    is he fit for Boxing Day or should I do Zab and Brunt>> 4.5 def and Yaya for -4??

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  18. Tiote on Peyote
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Whittingham -> Walcott for free (3-5-2 with Suarez and Lukaku up top) or

    Migs and JRod -> Rooney and Mannone (-4)?

    Any opinions appreciated.

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    1. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      leaning towards roo + mannone
      whitts got two good games comin up and you really need roo tbh and mannone is on my xmas list with marshall my other keeper rotating perfectly
      wally looks worth it but he might be more wait and see than the others for another game at least

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      1. Tiote on Peyote
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers for the reply. I was all set to go 3-5-2 with a big midfield this week but I do agree that I need Rooney. His price keeps rising as well which is why I'll probably do it tonight. Another f*cking hit, balls.

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  19. Fabreghastly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I reckon Ozil, Arteta and Giroud to be rested next game for Arsenal.
    Who are the likely replacements: - Cazorla, Flamini & Podolski?

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      *Rosicky, Arteta, Giroud ➡ Caz, Arteta, Bendtner

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      1. Declan
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        *Flamini

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    2. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Bendtner

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  20. andres
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    So what do I do with this team?

    Howard (davies)
    Coleman Merte ward (chester williams)
    Hazard wally rambo SESS (jedinak)
    Lukaku roo suarez
    1FT, 0.8

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    1. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Cabaye 🙂

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      1. andres
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Would leave me with no city cover...

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  21. Moorinho
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Rooney, Januzaj and Mcgregor (have no idea why with his fixtures) rising.

    If you want one of them, get them now.

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  22. Kno
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Keep oscar for swansea or do something along the lines of -> cabaye?

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    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Yes..Cabaye..I don't know why he hasn't been in more teams already.

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  23. Federico
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I guess my run of 8 greens has come to an end.

    74p all out, 285k OR.

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Hardly

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    2. Moorinho
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      A small fall maybe. Not too bad though.

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  24. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Wow glad I missed the game, sounds awful

    Time to sell Ozil? Have Wally and need City coverage

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  25. randyshakes
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I have a captaincy dilemma: Do I, A.)Captain Suarez even though Liverpool are playing City which is a strong side with a less than stellar keeper or B.)Captain Lukaku because Everton is join up against the team at the bottom of the table? I'm so conflicted.

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  26. Saint Domingo
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Watched the game tonight and Ransey looked really tired throughout that game,i am an owner and have had him since day one of the season,i think he is more at risk of being rested right now rather than Ozil,thinking Rambo >Wally for a few weeks and this is not a knee jerk ,surely Walcott will get the full xmas game time.Trying to think ahead

    Thoughts?

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    1. Saint Domingo
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      *Ramsey

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    2. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Do you really want to ditch him on the basis that he might be rested for 1 game over the next few GW's?

      Especially when Walcott might be too.

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      1. Scottys Army
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        My worry is that i own rambo and ozil

        and if both get rested in same game its disaster and ranking down.

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      2. Saint Domingo
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        No but i don't want to overload on Arsenal mids at the minute,only a short term solution.

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    3. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think he can rest Ramsey next game with Arteta getting a heavy knock. I think he'd like to be expect Arteta to Flamini and Ramsey maybe rested next game.

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      1. Fabreghastly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        ...I think he'd like to but...

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    4. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I was going to say kudos for owning Ramsey from day 1 but it seems you're telling fibs 😉

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    5. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Benchim him does not sound as insane as it normally does.. selling him though.. no chance man!

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    6. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Since GW1?! What made u get him at the outset?

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

        He bought him GW7.

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  27. Scottys Army
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Ozil to Ya Ya

    No rotation
    2 home fixtures
    pens

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    1. Saint Domingo
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Yep,that would be a great move IMO Scotty

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      1. Scottys Army
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate

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  28. Moorinho
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    On the fallers:
    Rvp, Carrick, Pantilimon, Remy, Long

    Maybe:
    Amalfitano, Gerrard, Brady, Zabaleta, Kosc (considering he didn't play today so idiots might sell)

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  29. Dont Hassle the Hoff
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Transferred Fer for Silva before seeing Jaaskelainen benched, now wondering if a hit is in order to get my keeper situation sorted, as Harper is my backup... Thoughts appreciated.

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  30. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Right, I'm logging off until after boxing day. I've decided to go with Berbatov(C) and triple Everton defence. You have to go with your Christmas hunches! Have a good Christmas all! 🙂

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    1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Merry Xmas Giggs Boson. :):

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