634x258 Dugout Discussion
29 June 2014 3432 comments
Paul Paul
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Sunday evening brings us another couple of World Cup fixtures to focus on after the knockout stages got underway last night. Louis Van Gaal’s free-scoring Holland are bidding to join Brazil and Colombia for a place in the last eight but face a tough task in the 5pm kick-off – opponents Mexico conceded just once in the group stages and have already stopped Neymar and co from finding the net:

Holland: Cillessen; Vlaar, De Vrij, Blind; Verhaegh, De Jong, Wijnaldum Kuyt; Sneijder; Van Persie, Robben,

Mexico: Ochoa; Aguilar, Rodriguez, Marquez, Moreno, Layun; Herrera, Salcido, Guardado; Dos Santos, Peralta,

The Dutch welcome back Robin Van Persie from suspension after their skipper served a one-match ban against Chile in the previous match. Van Persie is one of only two changes to the XI that beat the South Americans, with Paul Verhaegh replacing Daryl Janmaat on the right of the midfield four – Dirk Kuyt keeps his place on the opposite flank, with Daley Blind utilised in the back-three once again by Van Gaal. The United striker will be hoping to continue the form that has seen him score in both his appearances thus far, whilst Arjen Robben owners will also have high expectations after the Bayern man served up three goals and an assist over the group stages.

Mexico make just one enforced alteration from the side that won 3-1 against Croatia in the final match of Group A, with former Fulham man Carlos Salcido handed his first start of the tournament. Up front, Giovanni dos Santos will be desperate to open his account for the campaign, whilst his fellow forward Oribe Peralta – along with skipper Rafael Marquez – has already chipped in with a goal and assist over the opening three fixtures.

Later this evening, Costa Rica and Greece go head-to-head after both sides exceeded our expectations to reach the last 16. Jorge Luiz Pinto’s side cannot be underestimated after topping the so-called “Group of Death”, with wins over Uruguay and Italy underpinned by a defensive resilience that has served up two clean sheets in three matches. Pinto is understandably expected to keep faith in a 5-4-1 formation, with Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell carrying the main threat further up the pitch.

Despite a last-gasp win over Ivory Coast, Greece have failed to impress. That 2-1 triumph was the only time Fernando Santos’ side found the net in the group stages and, even then, they had to rely upon defensive mistakes from the Africans to make a breakthrough. With a converted spot-kick and assist to his name, Giorgos Samaras has been the main up top for the Greeks – once again, we can expect Santos’ side to keep it tight at the back and look for a goal on the counter.

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  1. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    who does everyone have from this game ?

    I have gamboa, duarte, cambell and manolas playing karnezis stays on the bench though...

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    1. little_wizard123
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I feel light with just Duarte.

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      1. Studgie G
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        surprised I thought most would have atleast 3 defenders from this game

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Karnezis
      Manolas Gonzalez
      Tejeda

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    3. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Holebas, Tejada, Nevas, Duarte. Cricans 🙂

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    4. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Cholevas, Manolas, Duarte, Maniatis, Tejeda, and possibly Karnezis if I bring him in

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    5. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Manolas. he is all that's needed clean sheet tons of rb's blocks and the winning goal

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    6. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      only gonzalez, tejeda and maniatis that I didn't get

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    7. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      gk:
      Karnezis stays on bench

      def:
      Gamboa, Duarte, Diaz, Manolas

      mid:
      Maniatis

      forward:
      none, although I was considering Ruiz earlier

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  2. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    This game is going to be high scoring for sure

    When you least expect it

    Got a cheeky bet on over 3.5 goals

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    1. little_wizard123
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Costa Rica to win and more than 2 goals is 6/1. Thought that was a decent shout.

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      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Should have stretched to 2.5 goals.

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

    Triple Greek defence, Maniatis and Samaris.

    It's on.

    😎

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    1. little_wizard123
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Why would you waste 5 positions on Greece? Waste them on Algeria!

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Waste? 0-0 written all over this.

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        1. Studgie G
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          no way cr will win this easy, greece are lucky they made it this far

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        2. Pilleri
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Problem is, OT goals count in most games.

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    2. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I have the same, without Samaris, so I can only wish you the best of luck 🙂

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  4. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    this will be the best game so far for round of 16

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Hope so, certainly the two with the least expectation or pressure

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  5. SneakyPete
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Goal in first 5 minutes.

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      One of 19 predictions?

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    2. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      cheeky!

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  6. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Ian Wright calling Hoddle 'the gaffer'.
    Make you puke.

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  7. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I'm ranked 131st in the world. One of you better win this as I am having a nosebleed. For all who know what my usual FPL rank actually is, will realise what a ridiculous situation this is.

    Might go Brazil-less for the remainder of the tournament.

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      😯

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      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        well done mate!

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers.

          At work I am now assistant to a guy who's initials are TW, it confuses me day in day out.

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          1. tw
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            😆

            could be me and you don't even realize 😉

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            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              Well then I shouldnt tell you that I spent all of Friday at work writing notes about the tactics of the last 16 teams in order to better plan my transfers...

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      it's because you can't buy Kolarov

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      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        😆

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      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I think so. And getting the right defenders is crucial, my speciality after all. You dont survive owning Kolorav without knowing how to pick the other four.

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          well I'll grant you that, but without him weighing you down you're able to make rational choices

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            And where exactly is the fun in that?

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            1. JK - Cønt ⭐
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              😀

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    3. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Neymarless for sure he will probably start on crutches next game

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    4. Jack Frost
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Way to go, no fluke, there's a million plus players.

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      1. Jack Frost
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        well done, Ginkao forlan

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers

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    5. SMELL MY CHEESE YOU MOTHER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I was 21st before I made some changes, yet I've never broken 50,000 on fpl

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    6. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Nice one.

      Try to take this form into FPL!

      Sounds like you'd be good at Ultimate.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I hope so.

        I might start accepting your PlayOn requests this season. Just been too busy this year.

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    7. BONZ
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      That team of grafters doing you proud....

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        McDoodles was built for it.

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  8. Woy of the Wovers
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I can see the pundits showing bias today in favour of the "plucky" Costa Ricans.

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  9. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    If there is more than 2 goals in this game, I will post a naked selfie.

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      😯 😯 😯

      as if I didn't already have enough on the line for a 0-0 game

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Dont pretend you dont want to see!

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      2. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Most selfies are face shots.

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          You need internet lessons

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    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Shaved?

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Of course!

        Shaved makes it look bigger.

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        1. Woy of the Wovers
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Big jawed eh?

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          1. r0nh
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Quite big, yes 😎

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            1. Woy of the Wovers
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              In which case, go shaven. The girls like big jaws.

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        2. Konig Luther
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          😀

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    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Face selfie with the full height mirror "accidentally" behind?

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        😆

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I know that feeling!!

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    5. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      please don't

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

    hmmm cilessian managed 9............... gotta be a stick for a gk score

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    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I have twisted and will let you know how Karnezis does.

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      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        i'll join you! Karnezis owes me some points from last gw

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        1. tm245
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Mobhli is a decent backup for save points.

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

            i have this too

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  11. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Any other Manolas captainers?

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    1. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      \o/

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      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Let's do this.

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  12. SneakyPete
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    1st in FFS McShite league. Always wanted that one. Thank you all for suggestions

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  13. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    4 players in this game. Briiing oooonnn the recovered balls!

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  14. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    last call, stick or twist on the GK?

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    1. SneakyPete
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Stick

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  15. SMELL MY CHEESE YOU MOTHER
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Is holebas chovelas?

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    1. SneakyPete
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Yes 😀

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      1. SMELL MY CHEESE YOU MOTHER
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks!

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    2. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      cyrillic aphabet, confusing FF players since people learned to write

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  16. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    15+ haul for Duarte incoming

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      1.5+ maybe.

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  17. Woy of the Wovers
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Still goalless.

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  18. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Wish I picked Manolas.

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    1. SneakyPete
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      You don't

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  19. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    If Leighton Baines worked in a bank he would look like Karagounis.

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    1. SMELL MY CHEESE YOU MOTHER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Thought of the day

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  20. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Must be the first ever World Cup game where both captains are Fulham players.

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Just when I thought my expectations for this match couldn't get any lower...

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    2. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Future quiz question.

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    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Amazing stat!

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  21. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Go to confess that in my new role as expert on Greek and Costa Rican players I would have no clue what they even look like.

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    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I don't even know what my captain looks like, and that's with the picture on the McDonalds page.

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    2. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aippeuh_TsM

      skills matter, not face value

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  22. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I'm bored already! 🙂

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  23. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Got some Bushmills as it was on offer. Much prefer Whisky 😐

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

    would you twist oscars 6 for bentaleb?

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    1. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Yup.

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

        ta HS

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        1. Holy See
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Couple of weeks ago I seem to remember you were thinkin of givin FantasyWC a miss 😛

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

            i know, ridiculous.......came on ere for some banter and ended up signing up with macds...........

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

              pressganged

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              1. Holy See
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 7 months ago

                We are dreadful people.

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    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      6pts!! This is fantasy football squared.

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  25. Master Kane
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Does the McDonald FF game still have issues when changing the formation?

    (ie, taking out players with points when non-played players are still available)

    So far, I've been too cobcerned to change formation once the gameweek has started.

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      without problems now

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Ni, it's fine if you make your sub then change formation. But it's probably too late if you only just found out 😉

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      1. Master Kane
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        So remove a player, change the formation and then add the players you want in the new formation?

        cheers

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    3. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      At least not on PC.

      Mobile site is still a Bermuda triangle, as far as I know.

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  26. Tomlette Greggs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Whatever happens guys, don't forget that Greek yoghurt is the best & Costa Rica has the best chicks.

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    1. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Ouzo from Greece, coffee from Costa Rica. These two go a long way to help watch this game. 😉

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  27. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Which World Cup football match was played between two teams captained by Fulham players ?

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Bulgaria v?

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      This one?

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  28. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    No chance for 0-0.
    Costa Rica 1-0 and then stops attacking, greece goes to next round.

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    1. SneakyPete
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      costa rica are already not attacking. They play 5 defenders

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  29. SneakyPete
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Who is ntownsend82 ?

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  30. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Already regretting my bet on +3.5 goals

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    1. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      You mustve got like 1000/1?? 😀

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    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      You had the hope for 30 minutes. Must be worth some ting.

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    3. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      If it includes penalties, your bet is still in!

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