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. NERONALDO
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    RMT Mirror WC game
    Cesar-Lloris
    Lahm-Sacho-Luiz-Blind-Duarte
    Muller-Hazard-Oskar-JRod-Gotze
    Messi-Neymar-Benzema

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Don't fancy luiz. Chile can easily score against a shaky Brazilian defence. Defenders need to get clean sheets in this game to have any hope, so maybe someone different?

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

        Who? I think Mexiko can score. 2 Germany in defence? Or?

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        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          When you put it that way! Maybe a double German defence could pay off. Russia don't offer anything much exciting going forward

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    2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Lacking a certain Hames. JRod for Goetze for me

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      1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Oops just seen him ignore me 🙂

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

          Maybe 2 defenders from Costa-Rica :D?

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    3. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe an Argentina defender instead of Luiz?

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        That could be an option

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      2. NERONALDO
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Argentina"s defence is awful. But Rojo has big attacking potential! Thank you)

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        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Brazils has been too! 🙂

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

            Can Belgium become clean-sheat vs USA?

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  2. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Just downloaded a video of Suarez's greatest moments. It was only 3 mega bites...

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

      boom!

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

      🙂

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    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😀

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    4. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      not 3 tera bites ?

      players are apparently scared of him

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Too far mate, too far 🙂

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        1. Studgie G
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          haha 😀

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  3. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Defour tackle very similar to Valencias last night ref got it right again

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

      Nothing like it, but yeah

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  4. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Been impressed with Komborov think I'm quite attached and will take him into the knockout stages with me.

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Off with ya!

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

      For one game against Germany? Okay...

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        This.

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      2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        For McDs unlimited transfers each round, his distribution and set pieces are appealing

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

      Yeah. Me too. Thinking it is a matter of time before they concede though.

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

        Could do with a pen, he's on them isn't he?

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        1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah he is

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

    Still trying to get my head round this TFF game....

    I only have 3 striker spots and currently own Ronaldo, Drmic and Gutierrez (Colombia)

    I can obviously lose Ronaldo and Neymar is the priority.

    I am thinking it is not worth transferring out Drmic or Gutierrez for Sanchez as they both have games to come. Only have about 20 transfers left, so each one is precious.

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

      I could get Valdivas instead (if he is starting) as I also have Okazaki (classed as a mid) who is out.

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    2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      You get more money in the knockouts?

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

        Yeah

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

    Forgot that Courtois was the highest owned keeper in Fox....(suddenly becomes a big fan of SKorea)

    "COME ON JUNG, YOUNG, YEUNG, YONG"....

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Come on Mertens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Also known as come on you Gs

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  7. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Do we get extra funds for the knockout stages? Most of the big teams still there, will Ronald give us more transfer funds?

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

      We do in TFF. Extra 10m

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    2. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It's not mentioned in the rules, so probably not

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

      If we're able to keep 1m players who are already out, I'll focus on having 343 with 1 decent sub for each position

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  8. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I have 3 strikers only in mcd's other 2 are non-playing fillers. Is anyone else shifting to this for last 16 or is it better to have the 4th mid/low price striker that plays?

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

    So, my experience of playing the McDonald's game ends with the end of FFS WC.

    It has been a pleasure. No, not the Maccy D game, but the excitement of this competition. 😉

    Cheers, all.

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

      If Italy crash out I'll probably persevere with it...but only because I've had to put in so much effort, at the expense of my other fantasy games (which I assume I'm doing rubbish in, having neglected them so).

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

        I am in top 100 in Fox, and my college mates are playing it, so can concentrate on that. 😉

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

          Nice, yeah do that then 🙂

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  10. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Think the best strategy for games like iTeam is to load up on players from the first set of knock out games and use the 3 free transfers to get rid of those knocked out and bring in players from the last couple of round of 16 games.

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

      Costs a lot of transfers though

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  11. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Is it true that Suarez can play the next game if Uruguay appeal his ban?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No

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

      No

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    3. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers.

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

    @Everton: BREAKING: Defender Seamus Coleman has signed a five-year contract extension that will keep him at Everton until the summer of 2019. #EFC

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    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Well played Everton.

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

      You're not going to be 5 million anymore in FPL though are you Seamus? ARE YOU?

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    3. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Wahoooooooo!

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

      Wey-hey!!! 😀

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  13. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Any idea when we might be able to make transfers in McD's?

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    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      There's a countdown clock.

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

        So there is, only just spotted that.

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    2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Countdown on the actual transfers page, just over 8hrs

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

    Spike Milligan and co commentating on the South Korea match...

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=33-fVsL5Kdc

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

      😥 I miss them ... 😆

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

        Yeah...Monty Python before Monty Python...

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

        - Monty Python - eat your heart out!!! 😛

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  15. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Mbolhi save 😎

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  16. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    thinking I'll keep di maria will be a differential and has played well just unlucky not to score, he's also a cert now with aguero gone for full 90

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

      I'm definitely keeping him. If he keeps doing what he's doing one's bound to go in sooner or later.

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    2. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Form over fixtures though.

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      1. Studgie G
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        normally but teams will be so template so I need to get differentials

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  17. Vote Joke
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Maybe not all Liverpool fans are as bias in regard to Bite Gate as we think:

    'I can't believe that people feel he's hard done by. If I bit 3 different blokes on the street on 3 different occasions and it was caught on CCTV, i'd go to jail.

    THE FACT IS, SUAREZ SHOULD BE LOCKED UP. IN A STRAIGHT JACKET OR IN A PRISON FOR A FEW MONTHS. The fact he hasn't means he's got off lightly. You can't argue with that, otherwise you're saying it's one rule for everyone else and one rule for footballers. And no, no other high profile footballer has bitten 3 players and called a black player a 'negredo'.

    Would my workplace complain if I couldn't work for 4 months due to that? No way. They'd probably fire me for bringing the institution into disrepute. The fact is, if we are so bothered by Suarez's behaviour and that he can't play for us, WE take him to court and sue HIM. We won't because he's too valuable an asset. Think about it: we released Intadje shortly after he was caught smiling during a Hilsborough memorial. If Suarez did that, would we release him? No way! If youth player Jordan Rossiter did what Suarez has done, would we keep him? No way! We'd release him.

    So all this conspiracy theory, xenophobic garbage just makes people look like myopic monkeys. If this was a United player, you'd be demanding a harsher punishment.'

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

      I work in Liverpool and, to be fair, most fans there have had enough now and want rid of him.

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      1. KipperRSA
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Same in my place

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

        I will take him at Arsenal all day long.

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

          I won't.

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

          I wouldnt, we need a team not one player

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      3. Studgie G
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I don't but I have my reason and they're not to do with his behaviour

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

          What reason?

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          1. Vote Joke
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I don't think he wants to sell him as he's so bloody good when he's not hungry.

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          2. Studgie G
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            he's wclass striker, there's hardly any around that pool could get and 2nd we're shocking in the transfer window we can't attract the big names to be able to let him go with out paying as much as man utd have this past yr to get mata/fell/herrera and shaw etc

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

      He called him Negredo?

      It already is one rule for everyone else and one rule for sportsmen on the pitch. If you elbowed someone in the face, you could face criminal charges. It, other than Duncan Ferguson, doesn't happen though.

      Mighty tall horse you've got though.

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  18. Pinoche
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Looks like it will end Colombia 5-0 Japan in the FFS WC. 😀

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

      Too easy

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

      They giving you a false sense of security 😉

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

    Just had dinner. What's happening, if anything?

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    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Digestion probably

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

      Kombarov got me an assist. Bentaleb is wracking up the points for me.

      Mesbah and Shatov are rightly rotting on my bench.

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      1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Spoke too soon yellow for Komborov

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

          :O

          Doos has him too anyway

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

      RC Defour

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

      Bentaleb keeps dipping above and below 80% pass completion. I'm enjoying watching his points fluctuate more than anything that's happening on the pitch.

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

        dipping above? climbing above, dipping below. Ah whatever.

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

        😆 I see!!!

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

    ITV poll. Was Suarez penalty too severe?

    Yes 49% No 51%

    They love an online poll those scousers 😉

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    1. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      That could be one school kid pressing 'no' on every computer in his school.

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

        Didn't someone already nick it? 😛

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

          Now, now ...

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  21. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Kombarov suspended? 😕

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

      Commentator didn't say anything

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

      no

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  22. TG32
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hey guys! Just started a new Facebook page in relation to football articles I will write throughout the World Cup. I'm a novice as in blogging but I would hope to build up a bit of experience. In my first article, I write about Sabella's relationship with Argentina's players.

    If ye could give a like it would be great 🙂

    https://www.facebook.com/fffantasy.football

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Just found it my arse.

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    2. TG32
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Just started it yesterday.

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

    Komarov yc

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  24. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Is Karnezis expected to be fit for the Costa Rica game?

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    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He said himself that he should be back and starting for the Costa Rica.

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    2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Apparently according to Beavis he has said he should be ok

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  25. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Slimani is almost there and there about, but not quite there 🙂

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    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      he is there now

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

      Oh - he's there!!!

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

      Timing 🙂 🙂 🙂

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  26. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Wingers on YC for Russia !

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  27. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Yaas!

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

    Laser assist

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  29. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Another howler for Akinfeev

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

    Told you!

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