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Dugout Discussion February 15

Tuchel explains decision to bench Mendy as Chelsea rotation continues

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Chelsea face Newcastle United in the second of two Premier League matches to take place on Monday evening.

Kick-off in west London is at 20:00 GMT.

Having rotated frequently since his appointment, Thomas Tuchel has sprung another surprise with his teamsheet tonight.

Edouard Mendy (£5.1m) is the latest high-profile name to face bench duty, with Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m) given another chance to impress his new manager.

Speaking ahead of kick-off, Tuchel explained his decision:

Four of the five most-owned Chelsea players in Fantasy Premier League are among the substitutes this evening, with Timo Werner (£9.2m) the only one to start.

In related news, none of the back five – including goalkeeper Mendy – that Frank Lampard favoured for much of 2020/21 makes Tuchel’s starting XI this evening.

Thiago Silva (£5.6m) is still missing because of injury, with Ben Chilwell (£5.9m), Reece James (£5.0m) and Kurt Zouma (£5.4m) among the replacements.

Tammy Abraham (£7.2m) starts ahead of Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) up front, meanwhile.

Steve Bruce makes four changes to the Newcastle side that beat Southampton in Gameweek 23.

All four are enforced, with Javier Manquillo (£4.2m), Callum Wilson (£6.6m) and Fabian Schar (£4.9m) injured and Jeff Hendrick (£4.5m) suspended.

In come Ciaran Clark (£4.5m), Jamaal Lascelles (£4.2m), Dwight Gayle (£5.9m) and Emil Krafth (£4.2m)into Bruce’s starting XI.

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Alonso, Abraham, Werner.

Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis, Hayden, Shelvey, Willock, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Gayle.

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1,321 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How the hell do people expect Ings to score vs this CHE defense? I think it is better to do other transfers.

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    1. Tcheco
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sheffield scored against them last week

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      1. waldo666
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This. They're hardly impenetrable, they are playing a Wilsonless Newcastle rn.

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      2. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No it is Rudiger that scored.

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        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Correct!

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    2. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings in won’t just be for one DGW.

      Saints press will cause problems.

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    3. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      But the Leeds defence?

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      1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thats one team hence SGW + 2 points

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        1. PascalCygan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Chelsea haven’t faced any decent strikers under Tuchel yet. I think he’s a decent option

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          1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            I would agree if it was a striker from a better team.

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          2. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            This is a good point. We haven't. I'm still convinced we can out-play Southampton, but you never known - them playing us before Athletic & United could be a good thing for them.

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            1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Its about probability when forecasting. case in point is that I benched Son last week based on City's defensive record and it paid off when he blanked.

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              1. PascalCygan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                And probability is why we all max out on doubles. Don’t get blinded by them but, for example, I undersold myself with just one Burnley defender this week

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            2. PascalCygan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              For sure. I still expect Chelsea to win but there’s something of the Vardy about Ings, isn’t there? Can pull something out of the bag whoever the opposition, like Liverpool this season

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              1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                Liverpool were not keeping cleanies at the time. Check their last 5 fixtures prior to the game.

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                1. PascalCygan
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 8 months ago

                  We get it, you don’t think Ings is an option. Plenty of others do, though, and his track record suggests he could be decent. Good luck whichever way you go!

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    4. FPL Pillars
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The good thing about this is that you’ve your own team. Do what you think is best hey

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      1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Agreed.

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  2. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kepa being a keeper now Alisson has taken over his old role.

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  3. waldo666
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Out of interest, those copping Dallas off the bench, who was second? Coufal for me.

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    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son

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      1. waldo666
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not so bad.

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    2. stooffrob
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son 2nd for me, 3 points difference so not too bad. I switched those two around for a bit before the deadline, so tis a wee bit annoying, but I went for the gamble

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      1. waldo666
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        As above. I was playing Dallas until I brought Stones in so was always gunna move to first on the bench, annoying but can't complain.

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  4. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mendy and Chillwell in my team. Fark

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    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Frank is that you?

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      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        😆

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  5. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How can Kepa keep a clean sheet and Werner score a goal in the same game? These things aren't supposed to happen.

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    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      And we all thought 2020 was fu***d

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    2. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Contender for strangest events of the season.

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    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      We are in a parallel FPL reality

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    4. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Has anyone told Tuchel he's only Kepa's assistant manager?

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  6. Gemma817
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Are Soton due multiple DGWs?

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  7. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Do we expect Struijk to play both DGW25 matches , as he has started all games since GW15? Perfect enabler for me going forward

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    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would expect so.

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  8. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Reece blocker.

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    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Some keyboards getting smashed right now 😆

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  9. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This season is mad. Kepa has a save point

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  10. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This is brutal, the safety score for not getting red arrow for OR around 100K is 76! The DGW has not even finished, 2 games to go!

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    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      80 points safety score for me at 92k before this week, crazy

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  11. andres
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    was waiting with the wc button until dgw 26 fixtures are confirmed... is that going to happen anytime soon? or it was just a guess

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    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks like it's going to happen, when exactly that's the question

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    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Should hear before deadline. But it might not leave much time to throw a team together.

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  12. Bushwhacker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    When you've got a problem. And no one else can help. And you can find him. Send on Andy Carroll.

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  13. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Sterling to Fernandes worth a -4?

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    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Seriously?

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      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah seriously.

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        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Fernandes owned by 60%, reliable with the armband and scoring each week ruining my rank and Sterling owned by 14%

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    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What's up with Raz?

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      1. Chrisitis
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        CL rotation expensive

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  14. Atimis
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Maybe could save WC and just go without BB in 26?
    Robo to Dallas this week, followed by Antonio Stephens to Kane Barnes -4 before 26?

    Martinez/Martin
    Robo/Cancelo/Stones/Tarko/Coufal
    Salah/Bruno/Grealish/Gundo/Stephens
    DCL/Antonio/Bamford

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  15. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start Areola(SHU) or Martinez(LEI)?

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    1. antis0cial
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Areola

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    2. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It doesn't feel like benching martinez ever ends well

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    3. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Marty

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      1. mr. inconspicuous
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Think I’m going Areola

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  16. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on BB26 WC team?
    Will do Raphina and Bamford to Watkins and Barnes in 26

    Martinez Areola
    Shaw Cancelo Stones Burn El Mohamedy
    Son Salah Bruno Barnes Gundogan
    Maja Kane Watkins.

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    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nice, good moves

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  17. Better luck next year
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    When are DGW fixtures announced?

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  18. Greek Shamrocks
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No Chilly! 6 points from the bench incoming!

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  19. Rash
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any crypto geeks on here? Whats the best platform to purchase coins from within the UK and is Exodus wallet any good?

    TIA

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    1. Fudgy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Been trading crypto for a long time. Exodus is a good desktop wallet and binance is a good place to search. Research DeFi and Uniswap if you want serious money.

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      1. Fudgy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Start not search*

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      2. Rash
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm a proper noob with this stuff. Was on football index but that boat has sank it seems.

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        1. Fudgy
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          1. Make a binance account
          2. Don't ever go back on football index
          3. Never use coinbase

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  20. Casual Player
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    James on saves me from Dallas -1

    But srsly needs to get out of my team next week. Terrible punt. James, not Dallas

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    1. FPL Pillars
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      James nearly scored as well just after he came on

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  21. Gemma817
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    None thinks Ings could be trap? I mean how many doubles are Soton supposed to get anyway?

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    1. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Already got me 8 points this week

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    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I am buying him. On pens, solid fixtures...if he stays clear from injures.

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    3. antis0cial
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He could be but he’s a better option than Antonio right now.

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    4. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He is for sure because I suck at this game and just got him in.

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    5. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I don't think he'll go as mad as people are hoping, but that Leeds fixture is almost worth targeting alone. They are hopeless at defining & Ings is a clinical finisher.

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    6. Gemma817
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers, lads!

      Help me pick amongst: Kane, Bamford, Watkin and Ings?

      I'm on WC. I want to keep Watkins as he plays in BGW 29. Kane and Bamford to be are not droppable rn imo. So, where am I with Ings then?

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    7. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      3 in a row. I don't think he's a trap if he gets 6 fixtures where others get 3.

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      1. MMN
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        But they don't, DCL as likely to get 5

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  22. AzzaroMax99
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Raphina or Harrison?

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    1. FPL Pillars
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      R

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    2. antis0cial
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Raph

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    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Raph

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    4. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Harry

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    5. AzzaroMax99
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ok, thx guys.

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    6. waldo666
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Raph

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    7. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would rather and do already have Raphinha but I feel the match-ups Harrison is up against favour him a little more than Raph.

      (Deputy Saints RB & Semedo.)

      Having said that, Raph plays closer to Bamford and on set pieces which help massively.

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  23. antis0cial
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any of these sound ok? Already have Meslier/Bamford dgw’ers.

    A) Holding to Dallas
    B) Grealish Antonio to Raphinha Ings (-4)
    C) Digne Antonio to Vestergaard Ings (-4)

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    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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  24. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    When will we know about Gundogan's fitness?

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    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably tomorrow when the line-ups come out - or if the team leaks a little early

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      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not playing till Wednesday.

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      2. Stupendous
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        You mean in two days when the match is being played?

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      3. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah all good - thought the match was tomorrow. Same case, when the line-ups come out I imagine.

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    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hopefully tomorrow.

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    3. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      About 7.15 on Wednesday night.

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  25. andres
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    sell antonio or DCL?

    for Bamford

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    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio.

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  26. jammie26
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Just put the clelsea game, am i seeing things, Werner scored? Must be a mistake right?

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    1. seanie3
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      and Kepa keeps a clean sheet, in a defence consisting of Dave, Rudiger, Alonso & Christensen... well i never

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  27. Bruce Lee
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    digga d - toxic is a work of art

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    1. Fudgy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      :mrgreen:

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      1. Bruce Lee
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        you like it fudgy?

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        1. Fudgy
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I liked the message 😛

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  28. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So Chilwell misses the whole game. Part 2 of operation ’Get Barnes12points off my bench’ after Antonio no show with just DCL’s recovery to be postponed for another match.

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    1. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Seemed like Mission Impossible at one point but now it is a Cruise.

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      1. Stupendous
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Awful. Just awful mate.

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      2. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Haha. It looked Far and Away at one point but i will hopefully extend my reign man! Sorry that was rubbish- long day

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    2. Stupendous
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      My rival gets Barnes off his bench unless Taylor plays for Burnley. Not to mention Laca was his first sub!!!

      I get Dallas for Chilwell

      Shocking

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      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Could have put DCL in line.

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      2. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That’s bad luck. I thought Laca was a guaranteed start and Dallas good for a few points; it’s a crap shoot out there

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  29. Oooo Matron
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What would you do here over next two GWs? Four transfers max , nothing in the bank.

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Dallas
    Grealish Fernandes Sterling Salah Son
    Bamford Watkins

    Subs: Button, Dawson, Mee, Brewster

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    1. nolard
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks ok.
      Could perhaps downgrade Sterling to get one better striker?
      Kane Barnes in?

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  30. cruzex
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No assist to werner, why???

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    1. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Palmed out from its natural path.

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