Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Friday

Fantasy Premier League managers are handed the third Friday deadline of the season as Everton welcome Crystal Palace to Goodison this evening.

Ronald Koeman’s side suffered their first league reverse of 2016/17 against Bournemouth last week, yet in Romelu Lukaku, they boast one of the most in-form forwards in the top-flight.

The Belgian has racked up four goals and an assist in the last three and, despite being hampered by a toe problem, starts against the Eagles tonight.

Lukaku earned fourth spot in this week’s Captain Poll and faces a defence that has yet to register a clean sheet and is still devoid of the injured Scott Dann.

On the other side of the pitch, the Merseysiders will do well to subdue Christian Benteke.

The summer signing has scored in both his away appearances for the Eagles, helping them secure wins on the road at Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

A supporting cast that includes Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend and Jason Puncheon will be looking to breach a backline that’s conceded just two goals in the last four Gameweeks.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,360 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dark_Mata
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone know if lovren is first choice?

    1. Nicks93
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Probably

    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Think he is

    3. Clump
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      The smart money is Matip/Lovren at centre back.
      Klavan played well last week though.

    4. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Here's the rankings:

      1) Matip
      2) Lovren
      3) Klavan

      Sakho will probably comeback with a cup game when he does...

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        This guy said Coutinho would be dropped in GW6

        Take what he says as his opinion only

        1. The Fantastic Mr Fox
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Tbh, noone but Klopp knows who is the first choice at Po. So most of the posts in here are opinion pieces

        2. Clump
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          And?
          I lost count of the bang on selections he posted last year. He called one with about 6 changes.
          All posts are opinion only.

    5. Clump
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Berbs would be the expert, though he's disappeared due to the stick he got last week. Sad.

      1. Rich_20
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        What stick?

        1. Clump
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          He posted the predicted Pool line up (which was correct) and it seems some didn't like it.
          Dunno for sure, but probably the most knowledgeable Pool poster is staying away. Shame, he's a cool kid.

      2. HVT
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        How bad was it?
        Part of me thinks it may have been deserved with his touting of Firminho, then doubling up himself for 'safety'

        1. Clump
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Dunno HVT.
          I love seeing specialist knowledge of individual teams represented on here. I'm pretty knowledgeable about pool, but Berbs is usually bang on. I'd like to see him back.

          1. HVT
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Same here, I trust him.
            Hes big enough to take some 'grief' tho. Is he gone?

            1. Clump
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Hoping he'll return, think he will.
              I couldn't give a monkeys what stick I get. My background is building sites and forces.
              You usually find that those who take things to heart are the good guys.

      3. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        .. I'm the new expert 😀
        Lovren and matip are our first choices btw
        What happened last week to berbs ???

  2. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    For those concerned about Lukaku, consider Slimani GW11.

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I really am thinking of shipping Kaku now for Defoe...

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        ^ This.

      2. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Why?

        1. Hurricane Gilbert
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Barely got any chances at all - if it wasn't because of that free kick many would scream: "sell him!". Didn't look promising as the rest of the Eve team

    2. PvA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      You said Coutinho would get dropped and he started the game and got 1 goal and 2 assists

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I also said Karius would start and he did.

        By the way, it was a prediction.

        1. PvA
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          No way??? How did you predict that one? Never saw that one coming despite various reports suggesting it

    3. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Why would anybody be concerned about Lukaku?

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Fixtures get rough around that time for him

      2. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Because he rarely got any chances, Everton played really poor going forward

        1. ♤TeddyBear♤
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          The flipside is he still scored in a bad Everton game going forward. Lets stop being negative

          1. Hurricane Gilbert
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Their attack was poor

    4. Emp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      why would I be concerned about a player who scores almost every game

  3. COYS Down Under
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Anybody else impressed by Zaha?

    1. Acquafresca
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      He was terrible. He needs to get the ball out of his feet and run at defenders.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        He does. It's a backhanded compliment that he ends up having to be dragged down so much.

    2. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      He is good at beating his opponent but that was it really tonight

    3. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. I had him for tonight and thought he played well....so did Oviedo though.

    4. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      He's like Ibe. All dribbling/running but little end product.

    5. HVT
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Moyes Daughter?

    6. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I think he's crap

  4. Acquafresca
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Looks like doubling up on Everton defenders wasn't such a wise idea on WC...

    1. PvA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Might look better after all games are played and most other teams are letting in 2/3 goals

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Guaranteed CS vs City

      1. Acquafresca
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Highly unlikely. Might ship one this week

        1. Klopp's Kids
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Sarcasm 😉

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Still need to work out what I do with Baines. Disaster.

          1. HVT
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Sell?

    3. HVT
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I was gonna 'lol @ Everton double def' owner, then I realised I have 2 Sunderland defs 😉

    4. ST United
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Triple watford mate

  5. The Fantastic Mr Fox
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Some massive buy and sale rates being reported by FFFix. 24% change per hour, wow.
    Must be a lot of pple who suddenly realised that the GW started today and are trying ti make changes before prices shift

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      People think the deadline is tomorrow.

      1. The Fantastic Mr Fox
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I thought of that, but surely they noticed an ongoing match. U can't be that ignorant of whats happening

  6. ralfb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Will be baines be price protected on red, so i could keep him until its clear if he plays next week or not, or better sell now?

    1. Shultan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Price protection only for bans not injuries

      1. ralfb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, so keep an eye on potenntial price drops

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Not true. Flag removal.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Price protected if red to avaialble.

      1. ralfb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Oh, so only after red changes to available, but during red phase he can drop as much as possible?

        1. ralfb
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks thats really good to know

        2. The Fantastic Mr Fox
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          During the red, the threshold is increased so price rise or fall is slower

        3. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah, just needs more transfers out/in

  7. Nicks93
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Hope my season doesnt get wrecked by me starting work next week. We don't have Sundays off

    1. The Fantastic Mr Fox
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Wow. Thats some tough line of work.

      1. Nicks93
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        🙁

    2. Rich_20
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      You shouldn't have become a vicar then

  8. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Lukaku (c)

    I'm content. No trolling by him tonight. 😀

    1. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Same, just hope the other options don't hammer his score!

    2. COYS Down Under
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, nice to know at the start of the gameweek your captain has already returned.

      Now we sweat out Sanchez, Aguero and Ibra.

    3. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Aye.

      Need those highly captained players to blank now.

    4. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Well done. I like your picks this week.

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

  9. GHB
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Lovely Jags steals Tekkers bonus

    1. squits
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      urgh

  10. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Those baps can piss right off

    1. PvA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I thought you weren't allowed to swear on here?

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        TM is so rude

    2. Rich_20
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Alan Turing wouldnt be able to work that system out.

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      😮 🙂

  11. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Palace defenders didnt jump for Lukaku goal because KDB scored under the wall against bournemouth ?

    1. Nicks93
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Apparently.

      Ridicolus though

  12. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Nice to see Lukaku and Benteke both get on the scoresheet!

    Williams owners, you keeping?

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Can't see many Everton CSs. They were lucky not to concede more.

    2. Alonso's Ball
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      They've conceded the fewest chances in the box and big chances prior to this week. For my money they will come good

      1. UpAndAway
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for the insight.

  13. Whats the Huth
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Masuaku to Smith

    Aye?

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      A bit early, but why not?

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

        Smith may get injured or a red card during his match

  14. PvA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    It keeps changing ffs

    3BP Ward 33
    2BP Lukaku 26
    1BP Jagielka 24

  15. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Latest baps -

    Ward 3
    Lukaku 2
    Jagielka 1

  16. WDT
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Has there been a clever theory backed up by stats on low clean sheets numbers this season? I'm too lazy to hypothesize. Penalty rule change or something? Meh

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Defenders can't play rugby now.

    2. Tansey
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Just because of the amount of money spent on attack in the summer I'd say. 171 goals scored so far this season as opposed to 141 this time last year

  17. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Quite fancy Benteke against West Ham, he's a threat

    1. Dark_Mata
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Tekkers out, Slim in

  18. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Best replacement for stones ? have 5m to spend.

    current defence is ..

    valencia / stones / williams / friend / amat

    Tnks

  19. Back on the horse
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Ward is on for 3bps? wtf

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Assist and action packed.

      1. Back on the horse
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        tsk, and to think he was in my tema last season. so close

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Most bps.

  20. Alonso's Ball
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Looks like no BPS for Benteke but he gets MOTM on tv...

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      They choose motm different to how FPL choose baps.

  21. McQueen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    So no bonus for Benteke, grrrr. That YC!!

  22. Shultan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Well done to lukaku captained! Quiet a few comments seem disappointed with 8 but I'd be happy with that! Much better than having a blank.
    Almost all of my ML leaders have captained sanchez & I'm one of 2 with aguero as captain. Thinking about it now wish I'd gone for ibra (at home against a team that's conceded 14) instead of away against a team that's conceded 3!

  23. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    I have the exact money to do

    Bolasie -> Sanchez
    Ibra -> Benteke

    For free.

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

      Do it.

  24. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    If you were going to get in one player this week for a FT would it be:

    Walcott playing at home vs Swansea next
    or
    Lallana playing at home to ManU next

    Walcott seems the better option, can't get both without an 8pt hit and ditching Valencia to release funds.

    1. Sharpe Shuffle
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Walcott. More shots, better fixture

  25. Acquafresca
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Benteke the new Costa?

    The man hates baps

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Managed one last GW

      1. Acquafresca
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        2 baps in the 4 games he's scored isn't promising.

        1. Acquafresca
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          2 in 3*

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          You know his bap range is 22/30 with a goal being 24 and appearance points making that up so does nothing BPS otherwise.

    2. PvA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Don't go too far

    3. ralfb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      And likes a occasional yellow card ;-(

    4. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Something to assess after West Ham .

    5. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      But Benteke is far cheaper

    6. Dark_Mata
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      It's because palace don't get him the ball enough. That and he can't run

  26. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    As an owner of no players in that game, reckon the damage wasn't to bad.

    Now my turn with my four players in the Sunderland vs West Brom game 😎

    1. PvA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Who do you have for that game lol

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        A bunch of duffers.....

        1. HVT
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Damien (666) is retired.

    2. COYS Down Under
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I hope its a lot of defenders

  27. ralfb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Who would be best baines replacement, short term, price up to 6.2m?

    1. COYS Down Under
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Kosc

      1. ralfb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, completely forgot about arsenal defence, fixtures really good, would you prefer him or bellerin?

        1. Klopp's Kids
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I prefer Kosc myself. 0.5M goes a long way. Bellerin maybe in the second half of the season.

    2. Back on the horse
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      arsenal defender?

    3. ***00tennis***
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Clyne would be a class pick imo 5.5m

  28. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Benteke gets MOTM
    Two defenders without a CS are ahead on BAPs

    Must be frustrating for his owners

    1. ralfb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Indeed ;-(

    2. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      YC

    3. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      A little annoying but wasn't expecting anything from him tbh so not too unhappy

    4. boc610
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      he got booked,that has an effect on baps

  29. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    took (-8) hit this week, both forards scoring tonight lukaku and benteke. Have sanchez and Walcott (c) for monday. Not bad

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Monday?

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        sorry meant sunday

  30. PvA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    What even is Benteke's celebration?