Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Man City vs Crystal Palace

Gameweek 17 begins on Manchester, as Manuel Pellegrini’s City unit gather themselves to face Crystal Palace at the Etihad.

The Chilean has his work cut out. With all three recognised strikers laid up, we’re expecting Pellegrini to roll out something that resembles “false nine” setup.

Neil Warnock and us Fantasy managers can only speculate on what form that will take, with the possibility that either Samir Nasri or David Silva will be the central fulcrum for City’s waves of attacks from midfield. Meanwhile, Palace’s free-styling wingers have a stage to make a name for themselves. It’s going to be interesting.

Following this, a batch of six afternoon kick-offs follow, with no evening match to see us out. Presumably Christmas shopping takes precedence. Bah humbug.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,366 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Hart, Zaba, Yaya

    Let's go! 😎

    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      2-0 to Palace 😉

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Gonna be a hard watch 🙂

  2. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Come on Zaba!!

  3. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Lots of penalties please

    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Jedi will bury them 🙂

    2. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      and YC for one yaya then...

  4. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Who else bought Clichy instead of Zaba 🙁

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      The casuals

      1. Randy_Marsh
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Ouch

      2. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Harsh, more like people willing to gamble on his game time that couldn't afford Zaba. Either way, unfortunate fail.

      3. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I hardly doubt many casuals have a rank of 12k.

        But thanks.

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Nope, very few. Did I say they do?

    2. ImTheDude
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Bought both, clichy is my 3rd def, so I'm ok with him playing every other week.

  5. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Afternoon all, who did everyone captain in the end?

    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      RVP

    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yaya

    3. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Alexis.

    4. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Austin

    5. Randy_Marsh
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard

    6. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling :-S

      1. Sooda
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Good call IMO

    7. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      RVP ye

    8. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Costa

    9. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yun

    10. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Austin

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Costa

      2. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Hmm, big mixture then, I went Austin too.

    11. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Carroll

    12. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      YaYa

    13. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      RVP

    14. The Nuttman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Batman.

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I will not let you down 😉

    15. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Bony

    16. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Why has no-one said Sakho?! *Stressed*

      1. Root
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Do you think he'll start? Lovren is doubtful.

        1. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Oh dear.

          1. Root
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Good luck.

            1. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Need it for both Sakhos - Liverpool supporter.

              1. Root
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                I brought Giroud in this week. That's a cleansheet for Liverpool.

                1. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 4 months ago

                  Those don't exist.

      2. BabyB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        solid choice IMO.

    17. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sanchez

    18. BabyB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Carroll

      1. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Likewise.

    19. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Downing

    20. Root
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Bony

    21. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Big Daddy Kane

    22. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Downing

  6. Randy_Marsh
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Fair play to A Defenders Nightmare

    Kolarov in 😀

    I captained Eden this week

    MNF

  7. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Clichy inured or rested?

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      No one knows - not on bench so presumably injured?

    2. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Rested I think

    3. darko
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Probably rested, although I'm surprised Pelle hasn't included him against the pace Palace have. More secure than Kol, but maybe the lack of strikers means they need the extra creativity.

  8. Randy_Marsh
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    If City concede there will be some lol's

    1. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      From Clichy owners ha. Hope not though, unless Hart saves a Jed peno. That would make my day.

    2. darko
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'd never lol but i'd be a bit relived after bringing in Clichy.

  9. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Clichy owners stabbed in the heart

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      *Hart

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Palace will score anyway.

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Self inflicted

  10. RubeRx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Yaya yellow coming up...

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Why?

      1. RubeRx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I'm :wicked:

  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    C'mon Palace.....

  12. RÏɠBY
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    oh baby jebus.. it's owen on the mike
    might have to watch this on mute

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I thought your were gonna drop a rap..

      1. The Nuttman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        If only, it could have been ffs gold 🙂

      2. RÏɠBY
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        his voisce is painful.. there's nothing to refute
        but it's the inane comments that give him the boot 😉

  13. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Lovely FK....

  14. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Who is better?

    Ibra or RVP?

    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Ibra by some way.

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        🙂

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Lol?

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Lol

    3. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Ibra was certainly in the 2000s, RVP was best in the 10s til last year. It's hard to say now as Van Wolfswinkel is scoring(goals and assists) decently in the French league too now

      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I personally think Ibra wins hands down

        1. The Light Knight
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Do you really 😯 , I've never got any sort of indication that you would be that way inclined, Super Zlatan.

          1. super zlatan
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            😉

            1. The Light Knight
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Even as a United fan, I much prefer Zlatan

              1. super zlatan
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                I'm a united fan too. And I love RVP.

                But zlatan is zlatan...

      2. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Wolfswinkel is what? In a very dominant team that attacks a lot he is unable to make anything happen in the box. He should be the focal point in the attack, but he is by far weakest link of otherwise strong team and the sole reason to St. Étienne's troubles. If you've watched a one match of that team playing, you know that only think it lacks is a decent striker.

  15. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Nasty puts a Zaba assist wide 😡

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Nasri.

      1. The Light Knight
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Right the first time

        1. RÏɠBY
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          oi! get off mah land 😉

      2. RÏɠBY
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        correct first time

  16. Joga Bonito®
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    For anybody in Asia... is there any radio station you can listen to the games on that's not restricted by premier league rights?

    Just as the game started Radio 5 live said they couldn't play it. 🙁

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      TalkSport via talksport.com or use VPN?

      1. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Just done it. Cheers, my new favourite site. You do the predictor game with them? It's pretty good!

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Nah but download a heap of their podcasts.

          The Warm Up (very funny) Press Pass, Two Mikes (two clowns but funny) all good....

          1. Joga Bonito®
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            I'll check them all out.

  17. premierglaser
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Should've brought in Scott Sinclair

  18. Rafinho
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Top 1000 captain picks:

    YYT 21%
    Austin 15%
    RvP 13,8%
    Costa 13,6%
    Hazard 6%
    Sanchez 6%
    Eriksen 5,2%

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      nice

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Oh dear, not quite what I wanted to see....

    3. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      alexis 😎

    4. Root
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      No Bony?

    5. RÏɠBY
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      downings hattrick of assists will come in handy then 😀

  19. -Matador-
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Who is playing 9 for city?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Milner

  20. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    City have been awful so far

  21. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Yaya blank would be satisfying to say the least

  22. Camp No No
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Okay, just some quick last thoughts on this round now that it starts...

    You may take the risk, you may take a punt,
    if Milner or Nasri is playing upfront,
    but YaYa Touré's going to score.

    When the striker hits the box
    Palace defenders gonna maul
    his legs and when the whistle's blown
    YaYa's due a double haul

    It's a penalty call, YaYa hogs them all
    'cause he's the master of the dead ball,
    YaYa Touré's going to score.

    Liverpool's in crisis,
    and Giroud's gonna start
    but if you're feeling lucky,
    just put the arm band on Hazard

    It's a winter's night, and Burnley is shite,*
    so you might as well captain Eriksen, right?
    But YaYa Toure's going to score.

    Silva's okay, and Kolarov may play,
    if you like two pointers you've found your way,
    but YaYa Touré's going to score.

    *Stole this from JT's Dog.

    1. Muffinz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Haha 😀 Sure hope so (C)!

    2. Mr. Grv
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      yaya B|

    3. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      stole the 30 seconds from my life for reading this tripe 😉

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry, mate, but didn't put a gun on your head to read it. 😉

    4. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      upvote
      A for effort

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I just really need YaYa to score. So far looking shite.

        1. Camp No No
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          At least he's hogging the ball, but by the looks of it, I would have been right to transfer Nasri in with a free transfer. A fecking casual mistake to miss the transfer deadline. 🙁

    5. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Cheesy and crappy, I know, but inspired by JT's Dog's amusing rhyming I wrapped this sheet up fast to consolidate myself as I missed the transfer deadline and have to rely on YaYa for the City points.

      YaYa captainers of the world unite and take over!

  23. Muffinz
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Commentator making a good point, with Milner playing up front, it falls to Yaya to be the solid spine in midfield. Wouldn't be surprised if he's been told to be more CDM than usual today..

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      What about Fernandinho?

      1. Muffinz
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah, you're right, completely forgot about him 😀

    2. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Let's hope so... he'll probably pop up with a peno anyway.

  24. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Fat Lamps to come on and score

    1. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yes please

    2. RÏɠBY
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      as it ever was

  25. RubeRx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Talk about parking the bus...

  26. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Doesn't look like Milner's the main man really, Silva and Nasri heavily involved in the middle too

  27. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Just noticed I'm the only one in the too ten in my mini league who has (playing) City defensive cover. Three of the others have Clichy but that's it apart from my Zabaleta. Bang, Palace goal. 😀

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      *top

      Bloody phone.

  28. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Zaba most attacking City player so far 🙂

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      *Hart

  29. Willis.
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Dammit sold Bolasie

  30. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    What's all this false 9 business about? Isn't Miller up front? What's false about it?

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Have an upvote

      1. Root
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Have an upvote

        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks mate

    2. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      He's not really a typical striker. He'll drop deep and come wide because he can't hold it up

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I'm not very good at telling whether people are serious on the internet 😆

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      It's a 7

    4. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      look it up or will explain later after the game
      its a very common term