634x258 Dugout Discussion
26 June 2014 3877 comments
Paul Paul
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We reach the end of the group stages of Brazil 2014 this evening as the last 16 match-ups are finalised. Group G gets us up and running at 5pm and with all four of the teams still in with a shout of progressing, Fantasy managers will be hoping there’s less chance of rest and rotation. Germany face up to USA and Portugal square up to a Ghana side devoid of Kevin Prince-Boateng and Sulley Muntari after both players were sent home for disciplinary reasons earlier today:

Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes; Lahm, Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Muller, Podolski

USA: Howard; Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Jones, Beckerman; Davis, Bradley, Zusi; Dempsey

Joachim Low makes a couple of changes from the side that drew with Ghana. The Germany manager brings in Bastian Schweinsteiger for Sami Khedira in the centre of the park, while Lukas Podolski comes in for Mario Gotze in the front three. Thomas Muller owners will be looking for more of the same, after the Bayern man notched three goals and an assist in the opening couple of matches, whilst those holding Mesut Ozil will be desperate for an improvement after a couple of patchy displays so far.

Jurgen Klinsmann also makes two alterations as he attempts to get the better of his native country. Omar Gonzalez replaces Geoff Cameron in central defence, whilst Brad Davis gets the nod ahead of Alejandro Bedoya on the right flank – Clint Dempsey is looking to score for the third successive match, though the likes of Michael Bradley and Graham Zusi also offer a threat from the attacking midfield positions.

Portugal: Beto; Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Veloso; W Carvalho, Moutinho, Amorim; Nani, Eder, Ronaldo

Ghana: Dauda; Afful, Boye, Mensah, Asamoah; Rabiu, Agyemang-Badu; Atsu, Waris, A Ayew; Gyan

Paulo Bento welcomes Pepe back from suspension for the vital game with Ghana, as Ricardo Costa drops out to accommodate the Real Madrid man at centre-half. The Portugal boss makes three further changes, drafting in William Carvalho, Ruben Amorim and Eder for Andre Almeida, Raul Meireles and Helder Postiga – the former two look set to be installed in the middle, with Miguel Veloso shifting to left-back. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, though, as he looks to get his goal account finally up and running and fire his side into the last 16.

Prince-Boateng and Muntari’s omissions are the only two changes from Kwesi Appiah after a very encouraging draw with Germany. Udinese player Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu comes into the double-pivot to replace Muntari, whilst the highly-rated Abdul Majeed Waris is tucked in behind Asaomoah Gyan up top. Andrew Ayew, with a goal in both group games so far, looks the major threat for the Africans once again.

Later on, Belgium go head-to-head with South Korea as Marc Wilmots’ side look to end the group stages with a 100% record. Bearing in mind they’re already through, though, there’s a fear that we could see a number of changes from the Europeans in this one, with Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne owners hoping they’ll keep their places in the starting XI. Up top, Wilmots may well omit Romelu Lukaku from his line-up after subbing off the Chelsea man in each of the first two games, whilst at the back, Belgium are set to be without both Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen through injury.

Those defensive concerns will afford the Koreans optimism and with three goals in their first two matches, they present a definite threat to Thibaut Courtois’ clean sheet prospects. The highly-rated Son Heung-min grabbed his first of the tournament in Matchday 2 and, having netted 10 times for Leverkusen in the previous Bundesliga campaign, carries the main threat for Hon Myung-bo’s side.

Despite scoring once and picking up a single point in their opening two matches, Russia are still in with a shout of making the last 16. A win against Algeria, coupled with a Belgian triumph over South Korean, will take Fabio Capello’s side through – Alexander Kokorin looks their best chance of netting, though Alexander Kerzhakov will be hoping for his first start after climbing off the bench in the first pair of fixtures.

After an emphatic 4-2 win over South Korea, Vahid Halilhodzic’s side will approach this one with little fear. Islam Slimani, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Sofiane Feghouli have all served up a goal and assist in the first two fixtures and will fancy their chances of picking up further returns against an unconvincing backline that has been breached in both their opening matches.

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  1. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Noooooooooo

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  2. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    RONALDO I FECKING LOVE YOU

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    1. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Mmmmmmm wdnt go that far

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  3. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    😎

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  4. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ronny!

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Only need another 3

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  5. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Sky Sports Breaking News:
    Luis Suárez has left Liverpool to join Borussia Munchonyourcentreback

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    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      And where did you steal that from?

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        2013

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        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          😆

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        2. Your Mum's Athletic
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          😆

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        3. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          😆

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😆

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  6. Kroos Kontrol
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 😀 😀

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  7. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    hmmm if bentaleb starts i may as well play him over kdb and switch to 433 so i can play kombarov over kdb too................??

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  8. Debauchy
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    wd to all Ronaldo ATG !

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  9. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Okay guys. Bentaleb option deleted. Now,

    Slimani OR Lukaku?

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    1. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      why is Bentaleb not starting?

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  10. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    It would be funny if Suarez announced that he is retiring from football.

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  11. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    There will be no quiz held today lads

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Why?

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      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Sorry mate, have to leave due to an emergency

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        1. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          OK, hope everything OK!

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          1. BigManBakar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks for the concern mate, appreciate it

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      True!

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        1 point.

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    3. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Harry Kewell
      Mark Fish

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      1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Nope. Wrong order.

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        1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          🙁

          Half a point? Go on.

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  12. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    ronaldo terrible miss

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  13. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ronaldo should've had a hat-trick.

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      For once I am glad he doesn't

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    2. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Is Messi the best player in the world again now then?

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    3. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Someone was trying to tell me he's the best player in the world earlier.

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  14. Kostja
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Bentaleb or 6 pts?

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  15. Siva Mohan
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Germany 7 (5)
    USA 4 (0)
    Portugal 4 (-3)
    Ghana 1 (-2)

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      that terrible defeat vs germay sends portugal home

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      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        All Pepe's fault really

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      2. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        they should have won vs usa anyway

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  16. pompeyfan
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Any team news for the later games yet? I didn't see any stickies on this post

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    1. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Belgium: Courtois, vanden borre, van buyten, lombaerts, vertonghen, witsel, dembele, fellaini, januzaj, mertens, mirallas

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      1. pompeyfan
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        thanks

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  17. Kostja
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Need 1 more german goal for free kebab 🙂

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Donner und Blitzen?

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      1. Kostja
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Double donner with fries 🙂

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    2. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      My hopes are with you!

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  18. Jimbo123
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who to bring in for Giroud......KDB or Lukaku?

    Who's more likely to come on?

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    1. Kip
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Kaku

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  19. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I run a local quiz and this is tonight's tie-break, closest wins (don't look it up)

    How many different football clubs have won the F.A.Cup?

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      15

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      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        nope

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    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      32

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    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      11

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    4. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Complete guess. 28

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    5. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      none right so far

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    6. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      37

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    7. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      12

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    8. pompeyfan
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      42?

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        The ultimate answer to this the ultimate question

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        1. Your Mum's Athletic
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          almost 😉

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            43

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            1. Your Mum's Athletic
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              correct

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          2. Billy Gilmore
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            43?

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          3. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            42.5?

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        2. 4vets
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          The meaning of life 😯

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    9. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      41

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    10. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      21

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    11. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      33

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    12. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      About 14.

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    13. Alan The Llama
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      29

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    14. Siva Mohan
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      43

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  20. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    none right so far, as of 6:45

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      41

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      23?

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    3. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      44

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  21. Keno
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who to bring on, Lukaku or Djabou the Algerian Striker today?

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  22. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Invite...

    The Iranian Fantasy Footballl team shall be holding a victory part in our Persian tent tonight to celebrate our passage through to the next round of the FFWC competition.

    We shall be serving copious amounts of our traditional Shiraz wine and dining on fine Persian cuisine
    Including a main course of fish soup or Jujeh kabab for those of a more refined taste

    For the English FF team we have provided an alternative and more suitable menu of some Tizer and a packet of Monster munch crisps each

    May I take this opportunity to extend a hearty welcome to all apart from the USA FF team.

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😀

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    2. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😆

      Team USA won't have much to celebrate anyway. 😀

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    3. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Will there be any fried mars bars?

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    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      You should be drinking doogh ... 😛

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    5. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Can we eat our hosts?

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  23. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How come according to FIFA site Portugal has 15 attempts and Ghana goalkeeper has only 2 saves. 6 on targets and 0 woodwork. I don't get it

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Blocked shots?

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    2. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It counts blocked shots as on target as well. So some Ghana defenders have some bs points incoming.

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    3. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe blocked shots in front of goal count too

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  24. BellsOfFreedom
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How many points for Ozil in McD, anyone?

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    1. Tuchap - Lurker
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      6

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  25. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    ozil subbed

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  26. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Congratulations to Ginkapo Forlan on winning tonight's quiz 😉

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  27. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    4 mins till qualification

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  28. Holmes
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    That Boye fella always try to score in his own goal

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  29. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    other miss ronaldo

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      and other

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        *another

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  30. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Can't bring in hazard or Kdb for two players that have 7 points .... Can I?

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    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Both arent starting anyway

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Thus the question

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        1. r0nh
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I wouldnt do it

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          1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Ta

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