Dugout Discussion

World Cup 2014 – Dugout Discussion – Matchday 2, Day 5

A couple of the tournament favourites take to the pitch in this evening’s three matches. The 5pm kick-off sees Argentina square up to Iran as the South Americans look to build on their opening win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, thanks to Lionel Messi’s late wonder strike:

Alejandro Sabella sprung a surprise in the first match by ditching the 4-3-3 formation used in qualifying to move to a 5-3-2, forcing Gonzalo Higuain onto the bench. A half-time reshuffle allowed the Napoli man to lead the line, with Messi and Sergio Aguero on either side, and many suspect the three could feature from the off this time around.

At 8pm, Germany go head-to-head with Ghana as Group G returns to action. A convincing 4-0 win over Portugal ensures Joachim Low’s men approach this one with their morale sky-high as Thomas Muller attempts to add to his Matchday 1 hat-trick, while fellow-scorer Mats Hummels will be hoping to recover from a knock in time to take his place in the heart of defence. Elsewhere, Mesut Ozil and Mario Gotze owners will be optimistic of returns after the pair were fielded in a front three in the opener. Having lost to USA in their opener, the Africans have it all to do, with Asamoah Gyan carrying the main threat in the lone forward role.

For late-night viewing, Bosnia return to action at 11pm against a Nigeria side that registered a goalless draw with Iran in their first match. Safet Susic’s side were a little unfortunate to lose to the Argentine’s and with a win essential, he could return to a front two, allowing Veda Ibisevic to partner Edin Dzeko, after the former climbed off the bench to net in the 2-1 defeat.

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2,937 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lawrø
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    I've just realised McD have tweaked the formation system, does this mean you can now switch out any player to change the formation?

    http://i.imgur.com/Z6S4oM2.png

    So for example I could remove Neymar and then change formation to 442 without Messi being removed from my team?

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    1. Shels
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      correct

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    2. Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      yeah, i just did that.

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      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks chaps, I don't know how I hadn't realised this, Lulic here we come!

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        1. Saniul
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          All in good time. 😉

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          1. HuttonDressedasLahm
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            Great timing as I just realised I put Messi right with Heydari central

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  2. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Repost

    I am going to have sex with a girl on holiday.

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    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Thailand? Be carefull

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      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I know a lad who dated a girl there for a few days. She was very intelligent. It was his first time to try a Smart TV 😉

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    2. Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Who misunderstood your joke.
      Old news. 😉

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    3. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      If you do a Thai girl (ahem) do her from behind then put your hand at the front of her you will wonder how your Willy has managed to go all the way through

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      1. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I have a bad experience in Thailand 🙁

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  3. sir_efo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Hey guys, Yes or No
    Muller(C) -> Dzeko(C)
    KDB, Kombarov, Vrtongen on the bench

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    1. Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      9 points, why not.

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      1. sir_efo
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I was on JRod and Valbuena on 11 🙂

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  4. JT's Dog
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Official press release

      Unfortunately we have had to release one of our hounds due to circumstances beyond our control. We will either be playing 1-1-1-1 formation for our final game or bringing in a ringer
      Future updates will be given in the future when we update

      Portudogal management team

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      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        What about letting their mid+str play your GK.

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    • Shels
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      you go on holiday to thailand, i'm goin down to maccies now to cry into a happy meal

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    • Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Bugger, just realised that Benaglio got 14pts for conceding 5 but saving a pen. He's on my bench but realistically he wasn't going on when I had 12 already.

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Unlucky..Console yourself with the fact it's a ridiculously high score for letting five in, just rubbish..pen save or no pen save.

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    • SGTMacaroni
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Managed to twist away 11 11 and then a 10. Lulic and ronaldo save me!

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      1. Shels
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        same jrod val messi? hazard/beneteleb for me

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        1. SGTMacaroni
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Yup them 3 followed by a ozil fail

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    • Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Messi (c) --> Pjanic (c).

      I DID IT! 😀

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      1. Shels
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        bualadh bos do lámha

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    • JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Tonight is make or break on my Dzeko for Golden Boot prediction

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      1. Demí
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Oh was it just a prediction? So you don't actually have anything riding on it 😉

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Well I would say my reputation, but that's long gone

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            amen

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    • pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      @Wakey

      Leaving Kolasinac for now. We get unlimited transfers after round 3 anyways.

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      1. Shels
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        kol not starting i think

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

          i know. That's why we're wondering what to do with him. 😀

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      2. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Do we..brill. Got Thiago Silva, Aurier, Rodriguez and Kombarov...should get three starts out of those.

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

          For sure.

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    • Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      My girlfriend said she wanted chocolate I said what do you want she said give me a boost a twirl and a topic, I said I like your tits then I spun round and said why are England so shit?

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Then she said, use some goddamn punctuation.

        Thats the punchline right?

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        1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          .,?!'"

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    • Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Could you be kind enough to give a little advice on my Fox team?

      Courtois, (Davari),
      Zabaleta, David Luiz, Debuchy, (Aurier, Rodriguez),
      Muller, Robben, Cuadrado, Shaqiri, (Bentaleb),
      Neymar, Messi, Benzema.

      2 transfers in hand, nothing pressing atm.

      Zabaleta --> 110k (play Aurier) and Cuadrado --> Oscar.
      What do you think about that?

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

        Shaqiri out.

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        1. Saniul
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Wouldn't you think he will have chances to score against Honduras, who aren't that good at all?

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

            He's not been impressive at all. Better options out there.

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            1. Saniul
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 10 months ago

              Ah, thanks.
              And would you rather have David Luiz or Zabaleta for Round 3?

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

                Camerron can't score a goal atm. So David Luiz probably.

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      2. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Wouldn't touch Cuadrado..I have Rodriguez in that game but I'd be just as happy with the cheaper option...

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        1. Saniul
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          So, would you sell Shaqiri, instead?

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    • r0nh
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Overall points check? (McD)

      153

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      1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        222

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        1. r0nh
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Great score.

          Fking asshole 👿

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          1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            20 short of where I should be lost Neymar points from round 1 and unable to put Benz c last night. Fking asshole is correct though 🙂

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            1. r0nh
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 10 months ago

              Just teasing, fair play, I wish u well 🙂

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              1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 10 months ago

                Bear faced cheek!

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          2. tim
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            221

            Dzeko Lulic tonight.

            KDB Kombarov on bench still...

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      2. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        153 is an Armstrong number.

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      3. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        238

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        1. The Missing Link
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Still complaining and organising a boycott of the game I see 😉

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

            The game has improved and fixed all the glitches. No complaints now. 😀

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      4. SW6
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        264 😉

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        1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Great effort that!!!'

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        2. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          rank?

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          1. SW6
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            1 :mrgreen:

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            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 10 months ago

              Its manageable for me

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      5. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        242 😀

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      6. GK
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        230

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      7. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        199

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      8. mir
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        248..31st rank

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        1. Sean.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          232 Can't complain

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      9. kop99
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        211

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      10. Kevin Twine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        250.

        20 OR

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      11. chrisjdgrady
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Just hit 200 today. Argentina moved me up a lot

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        1. fc.cubilas
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          239, Pjanic now plus three Belgians and Bentaleb on the bench...

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    • Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      done ok so far with MOTM on messi and gotze.

      who do we fancy in this game?

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      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Dzeko or Pjanic.

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      2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Dzeko. I had Messi and Muller 🙁

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        1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          i split my winnings from messi on muller and gotze.

          will do the same with dzeko and pjanic

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          1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah, good plan. Like it. 60 - 40 in favour of Dzeko though IMO.

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            1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 10 months ago

              ok cheers

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      3. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        The girl in the front row.

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        1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          you tired? poor effort even for you

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      4. SW6
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I've gone Dzeko, if any Nigerian were to win it it'll be Odemwingie imo.

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        1. Werkself
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          maybe their keeper?

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    • Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Really hope Bosnia put them away. Nigeria were quite clearly match fixing in the build up to the World cup. And they're rubbish.

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      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        5-0 with a Pjanic hatty, 2 assists and 2 goals and 3 assists from Kolosanic isn't too much to ask for 😉

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

          Kolasinac isn't starting.

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          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            Cheers. Feck. I've Kombarov and Montazeri to come in tomorrow so.

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    • Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      is odemwingie starting?

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

        Yes

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    • Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Well, would Colombia even want to the top the group and face Italy/Uruguay, where the lesser team faces Costa Rica?

      No disrespect to Costa Rica, but...

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      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I think we should stop underestimating them now. Everyone should go all out to win every game. Colombia include, despite circumstances.

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        1. Saniul
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          No, I'm wondering how they would feel. Tbh, Colombia are technically group winners already.

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          1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            I think their natural instinct would be to go all out to win and that they feel they would be overcomplicating things if they started planning results based on potential opposition.

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        2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          If your going to win it, you have to beat the best to be the best.

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          1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            This. I don't actually see why Colombia should be worried about Italy/Uruguay either.

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      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        If they've such little confidence in beating Italy or Uruguay they should pack their bags.

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        1. Saniul
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          I was just wondering about the preference thingy. You would rather face a newbie than a former champion, wouldn't you?

          And err, I hold high respect for Colombia. Can see them going to the semis, atleast.

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    • Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Chin up lads Phil Neville is on tv

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      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I can already feel the adrenaline pumping.

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    • pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      There're gonna be lots of goals in the Portugal-Ghana game.

      Might bring in Ronaldo in the Fox game.

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      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Don't you have Messi already?

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

          I do. But what's that got to do with bringing in Ronaldo?

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      2. Parm
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Way too expensive for me.

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

          Great differential as well. Not many at the top have him.

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    • Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Telegraph,
      Worth bringing in Dzeko tonight ( 31 transfers left ) ?

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    • Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Is Lulic playing LB?!

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      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah.

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        1. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Annoying no clean sheet and he's playing as a defender!

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    • Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      emenike or odemwingie more likely to score?

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    • Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Dzeko & Pjanic my last 2 players before subs.

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Good choices..

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    • World Cup Attacking Stats
      Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Some shots stats.

      Attempts on target from inside the box to date

      Benzema 9
      Robben. 5
      RVP. 4

      Total attempts on Target to date

      Benzema. 11
      Robben. 8
      RVP. 7

      Total attempts on target per team

      France. 26
      Netherlands. 25
      Ivory Coast. 21

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      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Suggests France have had the most shots on target.

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        1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          With the Dutch 2nd, and Ivorians 3rd.

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        2. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          and the Geoff Shreeves award for stating the bleeding obvious goes to.....

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    • LJEZB
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Surely Neymar --> Benzema or Robben then

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      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Those are the three to have for the next round IMO. Neymar was absolutely brilliant against a resilient Mexican side and he will get the points against Cameroon in a must win game.

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    • Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Got Lulic and Dzeko here, most of my scout league rivals don't have any cover in this match,
      Game On!!!!

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    • JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Some dodgy defending going on from Bosnia atm

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    • Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Game looks to be a wide open affair.

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    • Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Big thank you to the BHI manager for dropping Kolasinac..i may have dodged a bullet tonight.

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    • Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Begovic could get a big score in this!

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