Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Sunday

Sunday delivers a trio of teams tussling for a top-four spot. Arsenal begin proceedings, with Arsene Wenger’s men seeking to recover from a damaging 2-0 reverse at St Mary’s: the Gunners host a dangerously unpredictable Stoke the Emirates.

Following that, it’s a Dutch Maestro face-off, as Man United and Southampton clash at Old Trafford. Louis van Gaal’s side will put their 10-match unbeaten run on the line against Ronald Koeman’s revived Southampton, buoyed by three wins in the last four.

Fantasy managers will be fixated on the returns of Alexis Sanchez against the Potters as he looks to take the opportunity to topple Eden Hazard atop the Fantasy Premier League midfield rankings. With just a single goal in the last six Gameweeks, another big Sanchez haul is overdue. We’ll also have an eye on Olivier Giroud – back from suspension and bidding to come into our Wildcard equation. Equally, Theo Walcott’s pitch time will be of keen interest – returns for the 8.9-priced midfielder could yet disrupt the template currently being formed.

Angel Di Maria is already part of that Wildcard template, with the Argentine expected to be handed a first start since Gameweek 12 when the Saints pay visit. His role and the impact on Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata is likely to occupy our analysis, while Southampton’s defence will also come under scrutiny against a United attack that’s fired 22 goals at Old Trafford.

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

4,565 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wouter
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Would be insane if Southampton could get top 4. They could potentially sign a whole different class of players.

      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Not really... Look at Liverpool. Who did they sign?

      1. Frank Black
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Lol.

      2. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        If they continue to buy intelligently instead of throwing money at lads walking by Anfield.

      3. Wouter
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Liverpool is a bit of a weak argument. They signed bloody Lambert to replace Suarez.

          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Because they didn't get Sanchez, because he went to a bigger club. CL isn't everything, that's all.

    1. Frank Black
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Not really.

    2. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      They seem to be doing alright with recruitment without it!

    3. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Apart from in the final third, they don't need much improvement.

      1. Wouter
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I'm pretty much talking about their attackers. Pelle just isn't good enough.

    4. Mull
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Liverpool will just buy all of their players again.

    5. AlCapwnUK
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      If they signed a proper striker and kept Schneiderlin they'd be a solid candidate for consistent Europa/UCL challenges.

      Liverpool proved how hard i is to get a decent striker in the transfer market though

    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Quick straw poll...

    Who would keep RVP for qpr/LEI?

    o/ or o

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      o

    2. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Lol

    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Was leaning towards getting him on wildcard over Aguero for those two games then making the switch. Not going to happen after that tripe, bin him.

    4. Curves in Alderweireld Plac…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I brought him in for those two.

      i think he'll tear it up though (i hope)

        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, I hoped he'd do alright for a few weeks, and then do well in these two. Not so sure now!

  2. coran2123
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Only reason why LVG isn't getting the same treatment as Moyesy is because teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Everton are performing even worse

  3. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Well, my wildcard defence seemed to work. All 5 defenders got clean sheets! Shame I had 2 on the bench of course haha

  4. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    95-minutes played at Old Trafford, 0 shots on target for Manchester United

  5. Somalion
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Good performance by the Saints.

    Good, not perfect or anything like that. At the end of the day United were absolutely dire and Soton were good. Deserved the 3 points.

    Leaving Falcao at home was stupid, just to protect RVP who once again was useless.

    Wing backs are a terrible idea, the football is terrible and they've been scraping results. They say playing football badly and still winning is a good indication but really it has just been utter rubbish.

  6. AlCapwnUK
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Keeping Bertie may have been wroth it now. Souton looking essential again, price remained high, solid returns.

    Did look a bit stupid at the time though

    1. Sparrer
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Same here for clyne. Fingers crossed it pays off - will def be retaining on WC.

    2. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Wasn't stupid. Never looked stupid IMO

  7. Curves in Alderweireld Plac…
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    No excuses now... LVG had a full squad to choose from

  8. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    I have no idea who to bench this week

    1. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      good problems

    2. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      ask LvG

  9. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    162nd overall last night.
    Just Sanchez(19 points) to add in today.

    Will I go up or down?

    1. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Down am afraid. I'm coming for you...

    2. Ludo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Not much movement either way, maybe slightly down.

    3. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Down. Sanchez captainers will rise to the very top

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        True.
        Must be a few above me who don't own Sanchez though? And most will have captained Hazard I think.

        1. Scoredelario
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah but Sanchez captainers within 19 points of you will be plentiful. It's a big range

      2. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Only a few. But he'll lose a few points to the other players left (2.4 per team)

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

      down maybe 10-30 places i'd guess. but i don't know the lay of the land

    5. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      down, most will have had sanchez, a few with de gea and adm and autosubs and soton defence

    6. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      It's not the Sanchez captainers that's your problem - it will be all the Soton defenders, maybe even Tadic owners too.

  10. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Looks like I'm swapping my Foster and Pants combo for Forster and 4.0 after all.

    1. Frank Black
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Keep the combo.

  11. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    I don't know what the catalyst will be to get LVG to give up on that system. It's quite possible he will just try and try and try.

    Top for possession and bottom for shots in the last 5. Says it all.

  12. Ser Football 42
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Had bertrand since GW 1

    1. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Congrats.

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Have clyne since gw 1

    3. Frank Black
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I gave birth to Josè Fonte.

    4. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      WoW
      bananas are high in potassium

      1. Rats Ass
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Don't put them in water. They explode.

  13. RubeRx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    When you have a solid defensive structure and a disciplined defensive mid, you always give yourself a chance to win, home or away.

  14. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    CHE ARS mun

    7 points in those games. Soton deserve Europe, fair play.

    1. AlCapwnUK
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      agreed. I think they deserve UCL. Would mean one of United or Arsenal missing out though. Which still seems hard to believe even though it seems to be happening

  15. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Repost:

    About to play my WC.. Have narrowed it down to these two beauties:

    A) Heaton/Pantilimon
    Terry, Clyne, Hutton, van Aanholt, Wisdom
    Di María, Fàbregas, Sánchez, Hazard, Chadli
    Kane, Agüero, Berahino

    B) Heaton/Pantilimon
    Terry, Bertrand, Hutton, Clyne, Wisdom
    Silva, Sánchez, Hazard, Fàbregas (Boyd)
    Kane, Agüero, Austin

    A) is more balanced and means a benching headache.. B) is a bit more mainstream.

    A or B?

    1. dul
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      B

  16. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone know average?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      57

      1. Pablitto
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        red arrow incomming then

    2. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Manchester United today?

    3. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      man u

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

      the top 10k average? the global average is only a useful reference if u are in an on-off coma

  17. KeepCalm
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Best keeper rotations for this WC??

  18. Bolivian Seaman
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    If anyone wants a bet for next week. Newc - Southampton under 2.5 goals

    1. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Saints won't play so defensively there

  19. Fabregasm
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    What'd you choose ?
    a) Downing and Austin ( 1.0 ITB )
    b) Tadic and Berahino

    1. crazyasianac
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      a. also consider with Chadli instead of downing

      1. Fabregasm
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Alright, I've been thinking about having Downing for this GW and then sub him out for Adam Johnson, he'll have 3 great home fixes within 4 weeks.

  20. Logic
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Allover a sudden am messed up at the back.. how should i fix this? alder, debuchy, pva, lescott and Trippier. . 1 FT.

    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Debuchy to clyne

  21. crazyasianac
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this team?

    Forster (Jakupovic)
    Koscielny, Terry, Trippier (Wisdom, PVA)
    Hazard, Fabregas, Sanchez, Chadli (albrighton)
    Aguero, Kane, Austin

    2.6m in bank

    Should I trade fabregas out for Sterling/ADM and get Ivanovic for one of my defenders?
    Or I could trade Fabregas to downing and upgrade austin to costa
    Any ideas?

  22. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Guzan (Gilks)
    Debuchy Caulker Hutton Wisdom NTaylor
    Fab Haz Sanchez Silva Boyd
    Austin Rooney Costa

    time to WC? was going to do it next week anyway:
    want ADM rather than Rooney
    want Kane
    Debuchy needs to go
    prob need a chela defender
    want Aguero

  23. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    What's the verdict on Costa vs Austin?

    1. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      costa, plays for a team at the top vs austin plays for a team at the bottom

  24. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Uniteds attacking stats are awful

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I believe they qualify as a joke.

  25. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Both Bertrand and Clyne are sat laughing at me on my bench!

    1. AlCapwnUK
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      that is an expensive bench

      1. rozzo
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Including Aguero and yeah you might be right

  26. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    With saints fixture honestly think I'm going 3 Southampton defenders. The choice is either:

    A). Bertrand, Sterling, Hamer (have Forster)

    B). Baird, Panti, ADM

  27. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Quite tempted to double up on Saints defence for my WC.

    But then again, thy won't be playing at Old Trafford every week.

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      you going for the WC this week RD? They have been amazingly solid

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I haven't had a SOT defender all season - to my cost...

  28. AlCapwnUK
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Ings or Kane in for Tekkers?

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Ings

  29. Chambo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone got Vine of Koemans face when that goal went in?

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Was it really red and surprisingly round?

      1. Chambo
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        It was hilarious, someone described it really well:
        'Like kid and candy shop' 😆

        1. Chambo
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          at*