Watford's new signing Alex Geijo not fit to play against Crystal Palace this weekend

5:11pm Thursday 16th August 2012 in Watford FC News By Tom Allnutt

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Gianfranco Zola will be without new signing Alex Geijo and possibly Sean Murray ahead of the Hornets’ Championship opener against Crystal Palace tomorrow.

Geijo joined the club last week so he is behind the majority of the group when it comes to match fitness and Zola admits this weekend will come too soon for the Spaniard.

“Alex is a few weeks away from being available for selection,” Zola said.

“He’s working on getting up to speed with the physios.”

Murray has recovered well from his calf injury but he remains a doubt for this weekend’s game at Selhurst Park.

Question marks also remain over Steve Leo Beleck, despite the striker returning to full training this week after struggling with a muscle imbalance.

Fitz Hall and Stephen McGinn are definitely ruled out. Hall picked up a knock in pre-season training and has yet to feature for the club while the new coaching staff are being extremely careful when it comes to McGinn, who has not played for 17 months following a knee ligament injury.

Zola has said Daniel Pudil is back in contention though after struggling with cramp against Tottenham Hotspur.

Watford’s head coach says the team are ready for this weekend’s game and he’s looking forward to getting the season under way.

“It is a good game to start with. It will be a difficult test for us but I’m very much looking forward to the game,” he said.

“This is the beginning of a long road for us, it will be our first test and I’m sure we’ll learn a lot.

“The team want to play their best and begin in the best possible way.”

Comments(49)

SAHornet says...
5:30pm Thu 16 Aug 12

I don't think I can remember a pre-season with so much talk of injuries and players simply not being fit. Am I missing something here but shouldn't professional football players present themselves to their clubs at the start of the season in peak condition ?

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aussihornet says...
5:38pm Thu 16 Aug 12

It's pretty poor to be honest, I agree! I know their not going to be 100% sharp, however what's the point of est 8 new signings if around 6 are unfit, pretty lame!

We thought these new players would develop an excellent team, however with the likes of Garner, Imu, Yaetes & Dickinson still on the books, have we really gone up another step.... Nope!

Still having a striker up front that only scored ONE goal last season is poor!

Hope these signings get upto speed ASAP!

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Bringe says...
5:45pm Thu 16 Aug 12

lol .... moaning before the season's even kicked off.
Keep it up lads, Oli woul be proud of you!

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mooneysmagic says...
5:45pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Very easy day for the Palace defenders with Garner leading the line!

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holtonian says...
6:03pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Gianfranco has only been at club just over a month and there has been some major changes since his arrival, so only a fool would judge him so early on. I for one have total faith in the transformation he is working on with passing being the emphasis.( Ball retention ).
All our loan players are of good quality i only hope they are not long term injury prone players that there own clubs cannot give them the time to mend correctly. Obviously the loanee players are on our owners payroll if playing for 1 of 3 clubs. My point is, have or are we a hospital club now, i hope not.
Time will tell.

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Bringe says...
6:32pm Thu 16 Aug 12

mooneysmagic wrote:
Very easy day for the Palace defenders with Garner leading the line!
What are you on? Vydra is mainly a striker and so is big Chris if it comes to it.

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mooneysmagic says...
6:46pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Bringe wrote:
mooneysmagic wrote:
Very easy day for the Palace defenders with Garner leading the line!
What are you on? Vydra is mainly a striker and so is big Chris if it comes to it.
Zola has played Garner in nearly every match to date, including his pathetic performance on Saturday. Big Chris whilst marginally better will not unduly bother Palace either.

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WFC4ever says...
6:51pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Maybr Chris can knock one off his nose again.

We never do well at Palace anyway...

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QUINNPT says...
6:55pm Thu 16 Aug 12

For crying out load give it a rest, we have been very lucky in the last few seasons not to start without some injury's. What goes around comes around.
I rather the staff be overcautious than risk a potential 4-6month injury.
While I accept we would rather see some of the new players it is up to the others to step up to the mark, so stop your whinging and get behind the boys. As GT use to say it take 12-13 games before a team settles into some sort of rythm to have an idea how the season may pan out.
I will save my judgements till then, I suggest the rest of us do the same and give some breathing space. If you don't like it why don't you go and take up another sport or even worse go and support those up at Junction 10 of the M1..

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SAHornet says...
7:07pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Bringe wrote:
lol .... moaning before the season's even kicked off.
Keep it up lads, Oli woul be proud of you!
No one more positive than me Bringe, old chap. Read ALL my previous posts since the take-over. Just commenting on the injuries and apparent lack of fitness so far, that's all. I accept that sharpness takes time after the close season but would not have expected this degree of problems, that's all. Perhaps you would prefer it if I would keep my mouth shut so that you can continue to pontificate?

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Bringe says...
7:41pm Thu 16 Aug 12

That last bit ..... no just kidding but having overhauled the squad from different corners of Europe I think it obvious that their probably very different pre-season timetables have been disrupted. The extra fitness demands of the Championship means they have a hard enough task as it is and besides, I'm sure not all our new signings are destined to play in the same game, there will be some rotation.

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buckler says...
8:27pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Gonna give them Sarf London Mugs a footballing lesson, just wait and see? #ZolasBarmyArmy

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The Rover says...
8:29pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Seems a bit like WFC have taken a punt on a load on injured players, or is it just that these "professional" footballers consider a broken fingernail to be an injury

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Oxhey Village Hornet says...
8:48pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Can't get excited about the new season at all yet after seeing over the last few weeks what being a real spotsman or woman is all about.

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jalvin says...
9:02pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Apart from loach (who everyone hated), marriappa and deeney (who a fair few never rated) we have virtually the same team that finished in 11th place with the most points for years.

Chuck 8 new faces on that pile and once they've settled we might just achieve something.

What's the sodding problem people, give it a chuffin rest you whiney whinging moany miserable depressing numptys.

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lutondown says...
9:28pm Thu 16 Aug 12

buckler wrote:
Gonna give them Sarf London Mugs a footballing lesson, just wait and see? #ZolasBarmyArmy
That's the spirit Buck of the Buck Ultras fame
I hope the moaners on this site stay away all season,
The new boys will wonder what's going on with the travelling support compared to those boo boys at the library, sorry I meant the Vic. Apologies to those who clapped the boys off Sunday, you are the real fans

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SAHornet says...
9:44pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Oxhey Village Hornet wrote:
Can't get excited about the new season at all yet after seeing over the last few weeks what being a real spotsman or woman is all about.
Well shame on you then, Oxhey, for if you really can't get excited over our future prospects given our decidedly dicey past then you perhaps really should seek your pleasures at another club. I accept that footballers maybe don't have the same personality appeal that our Olympians have but you have to accept that they are a totally different breed. If you can't then it's synchronized swimming for you.

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LE PARK says...
10:24pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Used to think buckler and lutondown talked some sense i know realise it's a cpl of kids stealing pocket money. And before you start ive done my time in the trenches with the best and some are no longer here.my put on this situation is these players wev'e brought in have been sat on their ars@es for a long time before they came to us so how come their not ready.Fitz hall what a joke my sister is fitter than him and she ain't all that fit.Im pleased with the new regieme but these new lot need to shape up or ship out.

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onlyonerodthomas says...
10:44pm Thu 16 Aug 12

"Gianfranco Zola will be without new signing Alex Geijo and possibly Sean Murray ahead of the Hornets’ Championship opener against Crystal Palace tomorrow."

so the watford observer are saying the game kicks off on friday!!.great reporting as usual from the wobby.

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bigdave8 says...
10:50pm Thu 16 Aug 12

Guys get to selhurst park . The old stand for the away fans produces a great atmosphere !!! Remember the play off semi final??!!! I still have goose bumps!!!!!!

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Casterbridge says...
12:23am Fri 17 Aug 12

Big Chris was certainly more successful leading the line than Garner, so when they announced his release I naturally assumed that Geijo was available to replace him.

Sounds as though that was more than a bit premature, but if Iwelumo is available for selection, it would be in his own interest to put himself in the shop window - with a hat-trick!

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Bush Hornet says...
12:32am Fri 17 Aug 12

Got a good feeling about this game. Reckon we could grind out a 1-0 with pretty football and a Martin Taylor winner from a set piece. That'll do. Yoooouuuuuu 'ooorrrrrrrrrrrrnnnn
ss

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Bringe says...
1:00am Fri 17 Aug 12

When I woke the other morning I had dreamt 4 - 0 to us and that was just half time, Zola had a grin like a Cheshire Cat and the Palace players were all moaning about not getting the ball.
I never did find out how it finished though :o)

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lutondown says...
5:43am Fri 17 Aug 12

Bringe wrote:
When I woke the other morning I had dreamt 4 - 0 to us and that was just half time, Zola had a grin like a Cheshire Cat and the Palace players were all moaning about not getting the ball.
I never did find out how it finished though :o)
4-5 mate, for in mine Loach had returned as sub for second half, oh that's no dream it's a nightmare!

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Yardy says...
8:11am Fri 17 Aug 12

A player from last season will come through with some big performances. Remember when Danny Graham started, I remember people on here slagging him off for running a lot but not scoring. Big Chris had a good run at the end of the season and can perform again if needed.

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Chris the Vic says...
8:58am Fri 17 Aug 12

So many of the loan players have come to us injured and lacking in fitness.
Not surprising really because Udinese and Grenada will naturally want to keep their best players for their own squads. it looks as though this season will be one of showing patience and hoping that these 'crocks' can contribute once fit.
it does explain the inclusion of certain players who are not good enough for the bench and perhaps means that we will not be able to look towards loan players like the two Ks Tamas, Nyron before we signed him etc.
it also makes the signing of Fitz Hall more questionable given his lack of fitness, but Rome was not built in a day and if we hit the ground running, will we be that bothered but we do need Sean to be fit and at least we have Vydra and Abdi both of whom are fit and looking very promising. I trust that GFZ will start with Chris. Fingers crossed for Saturday.

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buckler says...
9:33am Fri 17 Aug 12

LE PARK wrote:
Used to think buckler and lutondown talked some sense i know realise it's a cpl of kids stealing pocket money. And before you start ive done my time in the trenches with the best and some are no longer here.my put on this situation is these players wev'e brought in have been sat on their ars@es for a long time before they came to us so how come their not ready.Fitz hall what a joke my sister is fitter than him and she ain't all that fit.Im pleased with the new regieme but these new lot need to shape up or ship out.
Back to school on Monday!

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JohnnyHornet says...
10:00am Fri 17 Aug 12

Chris the Vic wrote:
So many of the loan players have come to us injured and lacking in fitness.
Not surprising really because Udinese and Grenada will naturally want to keep their best players for their own squads. it looks as though this season will be one of showing patience and hoping that these 'crocks' can contribute once fit.
it does explain the inclusion of certain players who are not good enough for the bench and perhaps means that we will not be able to look towards loan players like the two Ks Tamas, Nyron before we signed him etc.
it also makes the signing of Fitz Hall more questionable given his lack of fitness, but Rome was not built in a day and if we hit the ground running, will we be that bothered but we do need Sean to be fit and at least we have Vydra and Abdi both of whom are fit and looking very promising. I trust that GFZ will start with Chris. Fingers crossed for Saturday.
Well at least we have a few in reserve, perhaps the idea is to rotate the crocks, they'll stay in the team until injured then be replaced by a returning crock, all based around what's left of SD's team.

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aefevans says...
11:08am Fri 17 Aug 12

Almunia;

Hodson, Nosworthy, Tayor, Pudil;
Abdi, Eustace, Hogg;
Vydra, Yeates;
Iwelumo

That's my starting XI. How bad can it be?

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northofwatfordpete says...
11:16am Fri 17 Aug 12

I think we have taken plenty of loan players on during the last couple of seasons who have been far from fit - thats one of the reasons for loaning them out - match practice etc etc

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CreteJoe says...
11:23am Fri 17 Aug 12

SAHornet wrote:
Oxhey Village Hornet wrote:
Can't get excited about the new season at all yet after seeing over the last few weeks what being a real spotsman or woman is all about.
Well shame on you then, Oxhey, for if you really can't get excited over our future prospects given our decidedly dicey past then you perhaps really should seek your pleasures at another club. I accept that footballers maybe don't have the same personality appeal that our Olympians have but you have to accept that they are a totally different breed. If you can't then it's synchronized swimming for you.
Go to youtube and enter "Stairway to Heaven　-　SPANISH Synchronized Swimming　team" You may have a different oppinion of syncro swimming.

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lutondown says...
11:45am Fri 17 Aug 12

LE PARK wrote:
Used to think buckler and lutondown talked some sense i know realise it's a cpl of kids stealing pocket money. And before you start ive done my time in the trenches with the best and some are no longer here.my put on this situation is these players wev'e brought in have been sat on their ars@es for a long time before they came to us so how come their not ready.Fitz hall what a joke my sister is fitter than him and she ain't all that fit.Im pleased with the new regieme but these new lot need to shape up or ship out.
I've never thought anything of you so please don't be offended if I say I don't care what you think.
Trenches? What has that got to do with football? Bad comparison la jerk, and if as you say are an old soldier should know better.
Now I'm taking off my school uniform before Mummy sees all the mud over it.

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The Happy Hornet says...
11:52am Fri 17 Aug 12

Guys, stop moaning, Iwelumo is on fire, he’s managed to find the net in his last two competitive games. This team will take time to bed down, the loanee’s will be 3-4 weeks behind the current squad players as Spain and Italy’s league season does kick off until mid-September and their bodies and training regimes will be based on that, most European sides if they are not Europe do not return to training until the last week of July.
This team will need until mid-October to settle down and if we have 15 points on the board by then I think we could have a very good season.

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LE PARK says...
12:09pm Fri 17 Aug 12

Would never have doubted you two muppets would respond in unison

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AngelHornet says...
12:26pm Fri 17 Aug 12

aefevans wrote:
Almunia;

Hodson, Nosworthy, Tayor, Pudil;
Abdi, Eustace, Hogg;
Vydra, Yeates;
Iwelumo

That's my starting XI. How bad can it be?
Garner instead of Iwelumo, but still hoping Murray recovers to shift Yeates

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jasonwatford says...
12:29pm Fri 17 Aug 12

Its time to play the music
Its time to light the lights
Its time to meet the muppets on the Buckler Show tonight.

Its time put on makeup
Its time to dress up right
Its time to raise the curtain on the Lutondown Show tonight

HA HA !!!

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abbotshornet says...
12:39pm Fri 17 Aug 12

New owners with money, football people with some quality players to spare that we can loan to prop up any shortfalls in our squad.
Sounds good, the defence looks pretty sound too, but I must admit I am a little bit concerned as to where the goals are going to come from tomorrow, I hope my concerns are groundless and Garner/Big Chris pop up with a hat trick. COYH

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lutondown says...
1:23pm Fri 17 Aug 12

jasonwatford wrote:
Its time to play the music
Its time to light the lights
Its time to meet the muppets on the Buckler Show tonight.

Its time put on makeup
Its time to dress up right
Its time to raise the curtain on the Lutondown Show tonight

HA HA !!!
Damned right!, I think la F@rt is one of those old guys in the royal box.
Thing is Jase, old son, yourself excepted no ones ever there when the curtains raised!
Anyway not sure what the old jerk is on about, I only applauded those who clapped rather than booed. So I can only assume he was a booer and don't like the truth?
Anyway who cares?
Old soldiers? The trenches? Yeah right

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mooneysmagic says...
1:50pm Fri 17 Aug 12

AngelHornet wrote:
aefevans wrote:
Almunia;

Hodson, Nosworthy, Tayor, Pudil;
Abdi, Eustace, Hogg;
Vydra, Yeates;
Iwelumo

That's my starting XI. How bad can it be?
Garner instead of Iwelumo, but still hoping Murray recovers to shift Yeates
You obviously didn't go to the Wycombe game or any of the friendlies. Garner is not even worth keeping the bench warm..

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AngelHornet says...
1:55pm Fri 17 Aug 12

mooneysmagic wrote:
AngelHornet wrote:
aefevans wrote:
Almunia;

Hodson, Nosworthy, Tayor, Pudil;
Abdi, Eustace, Hogg;
Vydra, Yeates;
Iwelumo

That's my starting XI. How bad can it be?
Garner instead of Iwelumo, but still hoping Murray recovers to shift Yeates
You obviously didn't go to the Wycombe game or any of the friendlies. Garner is not even worth keeping the bench warm..
That's the team I think GZ will pick

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AngelHornet says...
1:56pm Fri 17 Aug 12

mooneysmagic wrote:
AngelHornet wrote:
aefevans wrote:
Almunia;

Hodson, Nosworthy, Tayor, Pudil;
Abdi, Eustace, Hogg;
Vydra, Yeates;
Iwelumo

That's my starting XI. How bad can it be?
Garner instead of Iwelumo, but still hoping Murray recovers to shift Yeates
You obviously didn't go to the Wycombe game or any of the friendlies. Garner is not even worth keeping the bench warm..
That's the team I think GZ will pick

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SpikerDarkiss says...
2:42pm Fri 17 Aug 12

Never been this excited for a long long time. Decent squad, strength in depth, cash and no admin anxiety.

C'mon!!

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AngelHornet says...
2:44pm Fri 17 Aug 12

Pudil out as well according to his Twitter acount

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@ChrisBottom16 says...
4:37pm Fri 17 Aug 12

With Pudil, Beleck, Hall, Geijo and Murray all ruled out or doubtfull for tomorrow lets hope people realise that it will take time and patience and not start boing when we dont win 23-0. Our season starts a month earlier than Spain and Italy, and with the late takeover and Zola giving everyone a chance before the new players arrived its not surprising the newbies are a few weeks behind. When they are fit they will take this division apart so lets just give them time! Im sat in Block S, Row 49 seat 27 tomorrow so anyone who wants to meet feel free and if anyone wants to boo in that area then please do not waste your money in turnin up as your not welcome. God Bless. And to all who are travelling down may you all have a safe journey.

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lutondown says...
5:13pm Fri 17 Aug 12

SpikerDarkiss wrote:
Never been this excited for a long long time. Decent squad, strength in depth, cash and no admin anxiety.

C'mon!!
Absolutely, better than the grim BS of last year

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lutondown says...
5:14pm Fri 17 Aug 12

@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
With Pudil, Beleck, Hall, Geijo and Murray all ruled out or doubtfull for tomorrow lets hope people realise that it will take time and patience and not start boing when we dont win 23-0. Our season starts a month earlier than Spain and Italy, and with the late takeover and Zola giving everyone a chance before the new players arrived its not surprising the newbies are a few weeks behind. When they are fit they will take this division apart so lets just give them time! Im sat in Block S, Row 49 seat 27 tomorrow so anyone who wants to meet feel free and if anyone wants to boo in that area then please do not waste your money in turnin up as your not welcome. God Bless. And to all who are travelling down may you all have a safe journey.
Nice one Chris, hope them booing hillbillys sat next to us last Sunday are back to their spiritual home at Dog kennel lane

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@ChrisBottom16 says...
6:33pm Fri 17 Aug 12

lutondown wrote:
@ChrisBottom16 wrote:
With Pudil, Beleck, Hall, Geijo and Murray all ruled out or doubtfull for tomorrow lets hope people realise that it will take time and patience and not start boing when we dont win 23-0. Our season starts a month earlier than Spain and Italy, and with the late takeover and Zola giving everyone a chance before the new players arrived its not surprising the newbies are a few weeks behind. When they are fit they will take this division apart so lets just give them time! Im sat in Block S, Row 49 seat 27 tomorrow so anyone who wants to meet feel free and if anyone wants to boo in that area then please do not waste your money in turnin up as your not welcome. God Bless. And to all who are travelling down may you all have a safe journey.
Nice one Chris, hope them booing hillbillys sat next to us last Sunday are back to their spiritual home at Dog kennel lane
Lets hope there nowhere near Row 49 lol!!

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D.unstable says...
11:26pm Fri 17 Aug 12

Come on you Golden Boyz

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Bringe says...
12:45pm Sat 18 Aug 12

Pudil tweeted that 2 weeks ago as far as I can tell, before the club put a ban on twitter .... somebody can't read dates!

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