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. chrisjdgrady
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Will take him out for van buyten or rojo anyways so taking him out to be safe

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  2. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    I thought Manolas was a pts magnet? f you all

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Holebas FTW

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    2. Fresco
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      YC magnet

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

      Manolas GRE group stage:
      4 - 13 (CS) - 8

      without CS, not really.

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

    McD rules say that players get CS if the player plays 61 minutes or more.

    No idea if this is coded according to the rules to the system, though.

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

    Clean sheet points will only be awarded to a player if the following two conditions are met: (1) their team doesn't concede a goal in the entire match and (2) the player plays more than 61 minutes*** of the match

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    1. Fresco
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Duarte is on for a 9-pointer, not too shabby for now

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

        *8pts.

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      2. Fray Bentos
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Still -2 to go

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

        That's 6 more than Manolas

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

      He'll get it then. No point in taking him out, they'll put him back if thats the rule anyway

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

    Campbell has had a couple of good games in the CL and one in the WC but no way will he cut it in the Prem atm

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    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe for a weaker club

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

      Agree.

      Perfect for Arsenal then 😉

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    3. chrisjdgrady
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Loaning him to a premiere league club is the best bet imo

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  6. Louis
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Manolas yellow card! ffs

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

    Manolas yellow haha get in. Maniatis red imminent.

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  8. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    fs manolas

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

    I'm not taking out duarte. I have both Manolas and Duarte, He will end up at 7 or 8 surely if they give him CS (which they should) provided 1-0

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  10. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Oh god, Duarte red. Manolas red next

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

    Manolas fail. Pre match I was worried about leaving Rojo on the bench for him as well

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  12. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    7 YC & 1 RC...

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

      high scoring match

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    2. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      you some kind of collector? 😉

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      1. Zep
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I only noticed since I have about 5 of them in my team...

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

    Hopefully the captain is now back

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  14. Why Always Me
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    if greece dont score then its clean sheet for duarte. ill take the 9 points 🙂

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    1. seanie3
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      will he get the 4 pts even though he is not on the pitch?

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      1. Why Always Me
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        should according to the rules

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    2. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      *7

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    3. Zep
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      8*

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      1. Why Always Me
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        lol thanks for the correction

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  15. seanie3
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    how many points is cholebas on? should have kept him..

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      6

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      1. seanie3
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        cheers

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

      6 atm

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    3. seanie3
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      he's looking lively

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

      ^^This

      Switched to Manolas for this round. Ffs!

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  16. Zombie
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone who hasn't gotten a YC in this match???

    So much for a pro-defender match

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

      Please say you didnt sub out duarte? He'll probably still get 9 😀

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      1. Zombie
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Of course not...I always make subs after the lineups are out 😉

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

          Good 😀 you actually have a shot in yor head to head, I can do what I want 😀

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          1. Zombie
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            no you can't. Many big hitters to go. You can do whatever you want in last match 😛

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  17. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    it's really annoying as the greeks look quite composed and can play well when the want to (much better than the euro winning team).. they obviously didn't break enough plates before coming on the pitch

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

    manolas has 2pts

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

      I'm alright I captained him!

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    2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      He won't have any when I put Hummels in for him

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    3. Fresco
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      2 rb means back to 3

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

    Please score Greece.

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

      But then there will be extra time!

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    2. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Hell no....I have to sleep. It's already 3:05 AM

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

        You stayed up for this? 😯

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

          😆

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        2. Zombie
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          *Sigh*

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

    Duarte in Fox, Dream Team and Mirror comps - kick on the scrot that especially if Greece goes thro 🙁

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

    Campbell Hulk impression. He's better than that

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

    Predicted 1-0 Costa Rica.

    Pooing my knickers here...

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    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I've never met a transvestite bear before

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

      don't change yet, Greece will score.. no point pooing new knickeers

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

        😆

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  23. MITHRRANDIRR
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    duarte down to 4

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

      So could end on 8 still

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    2. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      How can he go down after he has been sent off 😯 ?

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      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        third foul.

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  24. Keno
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    For McDonalds the rules states:

    **Clean sheet points will only be awarded to a player if the following two conditions are met: (1) their team doesn't concede a goal in the entire match and (2) the player plays more than 61 minutes*** of the match.

    So Duarte should still get awarded a CS if they keep it.

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

      So wrong when you leave your team mates in the cack

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  25. emperikal
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Reacted instinctively and took out Duarte. Hope I don't regret it!

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    1. _nod
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      This.

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    2. Marouane Fellatio
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Ditto, Halliche in.

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    3. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      same

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  26. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    *****as passes to *****as to *****as for a chance on goal by ******as

    it's ALL ass..

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    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Yep all 76 mins of it so far

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

    -5 for a red in Mirror wow

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  28. Marouane Fellatio
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Not even one recovered ball from Maniatis 🙁

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    1. Marouane Fellatio
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      And subbed!

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    2. Fresco
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      he's on 1 but needs 2 for a point

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

      Keep preying

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  29. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Gonzalez's rating is slowly going up! C'mon get to the highest!

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

    Maniatis out. easy sub from my team.

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