Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 30

Earlier this week I noticed a Hot Topic questioning whether the January Wildcard should be scrapped. I’ll happily admit that I support many of the arguments for it being banished – not least the fact it compounds the creation of template teams – but I’m torn: if it wasn’t for the New Year refresh, my season would probably be in tatters rather than edging towards some degree of respectability.

The Wildcard has been kind to me. It took until January but, finally, I managed to salvage a few sound decisions which have laid the foundations for a gradual recovery.

In a season of lessons learned, it’s taught me something I’ll take forward to future seasons: if there’s obvious errors that require major surgery, turn to the scalpel quickly, whatever the cost. The Wildcard has highlighted that when your squad feels sound and is regularly earning you green arrows the burden of decision-making suddenly becomes easier – the chances of making further “good calls” are somehow enhanced. That’s a nonsensical theory but, for some reason, one that I’m clinging to.

My stubborn approach in the early season – my reluctance to admit errors and opt for obvious “bandwagon” targets meant that I was, for weeks on end, fighting fires. Every decision was pressured and mistakes stacked up, sinking me further into the mire.

Since January, the experience has been different. My decision to jump on the Luis Suarez bandwagon gave me the initial spurt I needed; my twin Chelsea defenders, along with a flourishing Eden Hazard, have provided me with a consistent and robust platform to build from.

Suddenly there are fewer fires to douse and I’ve been able to use transfers to aid recovery – the decision to bring in Raheem Sterling. Last weeks’ successful move for Wayne Rooney. Gradually I’ve managed to add a few more sound judgments to the mix and, low and behold, things are looking healthier.

It’s too little, too late. I know that. But, I also know that it’s made me realise the value of addressing issues quickly. Granville said to me earlier in the season that I was making changes too slowly. It pains to admit it, but he was right.

I should have used the initial Wildcard more wisely but, aside from that, I should have had the mettle to spend points to rid myself of failed decisions and move for obvious targets. Had I established the foundation I have now back in Gameweek 10, my season would have been more enjoyable and, in all likelihood, more successful.

Obvious, right? I’m not sure why it’s taken me seven seasons to realise this. Perhaps the reality is that I’ve never really suffered such a slump, that somehow I’ve always found a right decision at the right time to stem the slide.

I’ll end with a story.

Earlier in the season, I took comfort that I was ranked alongside Ulrik Nyland. This guy was top of our Career Hall of Fame – clearly a Fantasy Premier League manager of some repute. Ulrik was uncharacteristically struggling this term but, in Gameweeks 5 and 6 he spent no less than 24 points on transfers. I scoffed at the time. Surely this was a classic knee jerk? Maybe Ulrik’s credentials weren’t so sound.

Ulrik was ranked 939,746 in Gameweek 6. After spending those points he earned two red arrows and 17 green. By Gameweek 25 he was ranked 21,117. I was ranked 478,442.

Clearly, Ulrik learned the lesson long before me.

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

1,666 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Whitman2013
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    is it wc time in ufpl??

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    1. Namtab Nomolos
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      RIght now it is, you don't have long.

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    2. Get up ya bum
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      lol better be quick. Been wc time all week

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    3. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      And no more free transfers after today

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    4. Whitman2013
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      cheers guys 🙂

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    5. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Err Yes.

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  2. Berbalove
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    2FTs before this GW, but no transfer. WC ready for activation. Lallana captain.
    Weird feeling.

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  3. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hazard captain....

    Cue suarez hattrick

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    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Suarez blank, Hazard hat trick

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    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      hey hey hey. Stay positive!

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  4. GoonerByron
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Andy Carroll (c)

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    2. Doylaz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I hope it comes off! Nice differential.

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  5. Namtab Nomolos
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Make sure to keep refreshing the /updating page to be in with a chance of being this weeks lucky winner of the 'Has the site still not updated for anyone else?' award.

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  6. Capt. Krypton
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Suarez captainers raise up

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    1. Walsh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Here

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    2. GREENDREAMS11
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Here

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    3. Geordienufc1
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Here

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  7. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Thank you for your help geezers. WC team I went with in the end:

    Mannone Adrián
    Baines Terry Coleman Dann Chester
    Johnson Hazard Yaya Sissoko Sterling
    Suárez Sturridge Lukaku (C)

    Come on Romelu!

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    1. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Sweet team!

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    2. Get up ya bum
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      So noice enr!

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      1. Elniñorules
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers guys. Good luck to the both of you 🙂

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  8. Hunzala
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Sidwell or Januzaj?

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    1. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Januzaj

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      1. Hunzala
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Or else I should go with Koscielny?

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  9. Respect My Authoritah
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    So my only decision this week is which City defender to get. Early kick off FTW!

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    1. GoonerByron
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      UFPL? Kompany or Zabaleta are the only options.

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  10. Art Vandelay
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Baines (c)

    Let me hear you say yeah.

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      o/

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    2. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      yeah o/

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    3. Art Vandelay
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      He won the armband in a raffle for me. Well done for having the guts to actually pick him. 😀

      Let's hope it pays off.

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    4. The Shoonchy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I picked too
      I thought I was the only idiot

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  11. Get up ya bum
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    All right show of hands from my fellow Lukaku (c) gluttens for punishment

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    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      boooo

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      1. Get up ya bum
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        you picked the wrong belgian 😉

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        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          haha when i planned my transfers for this week on monday lukaku in and (c) was one of them and ive had the armband on him since i got him yesterday. up until about half hour ago, will be an interesting gw..

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          1. Get up ya bum
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            Indeed. I'm feeling sketchy about Lukaku now. Good luck mate

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    2. A.T
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Yep, I dont know why I do it to myself.

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      1. Get up ya bum
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Haha my thoughts exactly mate 🙂

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  12. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Wildcard this week or next?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Depends what you're team looks like.

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      1. Arvin-ation
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Mannone (Boruc)

        Coleman Williamson Ivan ( Ward , Bruce )
        Hazard Mirallas Januzaj Gerrard ( Noone )
        RVP Sturridge Lukaku

        9 DGW-ers ATM. Not sure if Bruce will start.

        Cheers

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        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Looks decent enough to hold.

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          1. Arvin-ation
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers

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    2. MJ6987
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Depends how well your team is already set up for the DGW31

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  13. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Who do

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    1. Capt. Krypton
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      You do

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  14. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Time to get my 11 DGWers for - 4

    Welcome Zabaleta, Lukaku, Aj/Nolan based in today

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    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Set on Zab over Komp? Any reason other than price?

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      1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Price

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  15. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Suarez captainers group huddle. 😎

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    1. Punty
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Feels good doesn't it?:)

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      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Of course it does.

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    2. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Enjoy 2 point captain (I hope)

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      1. Punty
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        22*

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    3. Capt. Krypton
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Suarez is due a big one and can see it being against his mate evra.. Changed last minute to Suarez can just see this massive haul now

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  16. Slikk
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Soooo, I'm having second thoughts about this Lukaku-thingy. Are we certain he will start?

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    1. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I changed to Baines. Martinez likes the hustle and bustle of Naismith at the moment.

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    2. aehii
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku thingy being captain? Or just buying him?

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  17. Holmes
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I set my team, my captain on saturday morning, and never look back at changing anything, though I plan for the team 12x7 😀
    Is this sign of newbieness? 😛

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  18. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Who did we all captain, then?

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    1. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      OOhhhhh Rooobbiinnn Vaaaaannn PPpeeerrsssiieeee

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    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      'azarr 😉

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    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Baines.

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    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lallana.

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    5. MJ6987
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lukakaaaaaa

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      1. MJ6987
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Wow, pretty much in the minority here, surprisingly

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    6. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard

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    7. Root
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Džeko

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    8. The Light Knight
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      De Guz

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    9. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard

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    10. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Suarez

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    11. Hunzala
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard

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    12. Noisy Neighbour
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Suarez

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    13. Suarezista
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lambert

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      1. Jax
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        +1

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    14. MagicMessi
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      KAKU

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    15. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard

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    16. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku

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  19. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    ................Mannone
    ...Demel Koscielny Azpillicueta
    Hazard Lallana Silva Mata Sterling
    .......Suarez(c) Sturridge

    Price Aguero 😎 Parr McNaughton

    Shake and bake!

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    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      TV?

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      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        111.4 i think

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        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Oh, looks like around 113.

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  20. MJ6987
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Re the Article above, it would be better if, instead of a "January wildcard" everyone just got an extra WC that they could use anytime from January to the end of the season.

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    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      That would destroy the patient group, who believe in WCing late 😉 I'd rather just withdraw the Jan WC.

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      1. MJ6987
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Not completely. Firstly, you'd have a new patient group who don't WC as soon as they can and secondly, having two WCs left now would have its own advantages with all the DGWs

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    2. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Agree

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    3. Get up ya bum
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Na just one I reckon

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    4. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      personally, i think the idea of a wildcard is ruined by the fact you can have unlimited transfers throughout the game.

      I understand that there are points penalties for changes, but you can have a serious impact on your squad with a mere 8 to 16 point hit. People often fail to appreciate that these changes are not just balanced in the Gameweek they are played, but for every future gameweek vs the players they would've been stuck with.

      We have a bench, flexible formations and auto subs. Wildcards are unnecessary IMO, and the Jan one just brings everyone's squad in to a narrower pool of players

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  21. asdasdasdadasdasda
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Lukaku captainers raise your hands

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      1. asdasdasdadasdasda
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        😆

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Last minute swap from Haz.

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      1. Get up ya bum
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        🙁 they're dropping like flies

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    2. Make United Great Again
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      ...for a slap

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    3. mipola
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      🙂 --/

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    4. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      \o/

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    5. MJ6987
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      o/

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    6. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Late Lukaku call here....feeling edgy but hell excited

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    7. reeceon
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      o/

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    8. MagicMessi
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaaku hatrick 😀 propably not

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  22. money face bandwagon
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Saving transfer this gw 🙂

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  23. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    On to Metro. How's every one doing? You still around Jafalad?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I'm using it for my differentials.

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      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        It's a diffs game at times Epic.

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    2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      1100

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      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Nice. I have a lot of hits to take for next week. But had full team out last week, so no complaints.

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      2. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Should have joined my ML. Next year then?

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        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Will do.....

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        2. Opta out
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          59th
          I'm in a mini league from on here. Can't remember who hosted the league though.

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          1. In Like Flynn.
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            Me I think.

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          2. In Like Flynn.
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            It is customary to ask if it's OK to join, particularly if you are new. Just a thought.

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  24. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Changed from Yala To Suarez at last sec should i regret ?

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    1. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      C *

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    2. Grubby
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah considering Man Utd have shored up at the back and have 3 clean sheets in a row now!

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      1. Jax
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        pool will prob score at most 1

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          lol

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          1. Get up ya bum
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            This

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          2. Jax
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            what? just watch

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      2. Capt. Krypton
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Against mediocre attacking teams. This Liverpool attack are going to have a field day 😉

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    3. Noisy Neighbour
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Shouldn't be any regrets, even if it doesn't work out. You backed the best striker in the league, whose team is fighting for a Champions League berth.

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  25. Mumm-Ra
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Is it just my dodgy laptop or is anyone else getting page freezes when they try and change pages?

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    1. Grubby
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      your laptop by the look of it

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      1. Mumm-Ra
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        FFS!! 🙁

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  26. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I'd never captain lukaku.... He' usually awful and just gets a lucky assist

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    1. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Agree

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    2. reeceon
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I always think this but end up (C) him anyway

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  27. Hunzala
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Sidwell, Januzaj or Koscielny? Please help hurry!!

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  28. Lazarus
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I swapped the armband from Suarez to Lukaku at 11:29 but I couldn't go through with it and didn't press confirm.

    Suarez (c) it is.

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    1. MJ6987
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Don't come running to me at 4:50pm today!

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    2. GREENDREAMS11
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Similar thing, Considered Lukaku at 11:15 then thought no, Everton have a knack of not turning teams over when you expect them to. Suarez it is.

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  29. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    so much forgetting of the kolarov motto http://i.imgur.com/pqUUJeN.png

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    1. Portuguese&Proud
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      😆 😆 😆

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Ehhh? 😀

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      That pic 😆

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    4. Get up ya bum
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Could snap a giant tortoise shell between them thighs. Never bench never sell

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  30. Piggs Boson
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Rooney captainers raise your hands.
    http://tinyurl.com/only1captainthisweek

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    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      o/

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Yay, I'm not alone!

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        1. Moin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          I had Lukaku..but got a gut feeling he will do something special!!

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