Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Tuesday

Tuesday night treats us to three more matches as the festive schedule finally starts to wind up.

Bournemouth and Arsenal go head-to-head at the Vitality Stadium in the 7.45pm kick-off, with Olivier Giroud looking to score for the third successive match – the Frenchman opened 2017 in style, thanks to his scorpion kick effort at home to Palace. He starts for the third successive outing this evening.

Second in our Gameweek 20 Captain Poll, Alexis Sanchez is looking for a fifth double-figure haul on his travels, yet faces a resilient Cherries rearguard that’s served up four clean sheets in front of their own supporters. Sanchez remains on the flank as a result of Giroud’s start but has fired in 17 attempts from that position in the last two Gameweeks – more than any other player.

Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha will look to take advantage of Swansea City’s dire defence in an 8pm kick-off at Selhurst Park.

The Belgian has the chance to play his way into consideration as the schedule turns in Palace’s favour, though Zaha owners will be searching for a way out after tonight’s fixture as he’s set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Finally, Stoke City entertain Watford in the other later match as Joe Allen and Etienne Capoue go head-to-head in the battle of the budget midfielders.

With the likes of Matt Phillips and Robert Snodgrass stepping up in form over Christmas, owners of both Allen (one goal since Gameweek 8) and Capoue (a single strike since Gameweek 5), will surely be considering their options over the FA Cup weekend break.

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

5,318 Comments Post a Comment
  1. v12w12
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    A: Walker
    B: Baines

    1. Daniels
    2. Brunt

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      B2 all day

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Still B2 for me

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I have B2. It's great.

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      B2, great alternatives though.

      1. v12w12
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers fellas

  2. Jay_
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Fernandez header from Siggy free kick over the bar. Should have scored.

    • Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Arsenal not the same team without Sanchez up front

    • Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Sanchez is sulking. Obviously instructed by Wenger to cross the ball at every opportunity which he's doing aimlessly to no avail..

      He also doesn't get on with Ramsey. Pretty clear on the pitch.

    • JIM BOB
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Don't worry, Mustafi is back this week.

      Oh, wait....

      1. Declan
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Cant blame mustafi for either goal

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I think Bellerin prefers playing with Gabriel. Seems to be tucking in much more with Mustafi playing - almost like he feels he has to cover him.

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Real Madrid will be coming in for Daniels off this 45 minutes

    • dcarlito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Taxi for Mustafi.

    • mr messi
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Who's likely to keep more clean sheets over the next few matches, Arsenal or Utd?

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Utd

      2. william prunier
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        What a waste of ink

      3. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Utd

      4. Mata-Is-The-Juan
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Arsenal have the easier fixtures on paperbut I'd back José over Wenger. Especially as ARS look quite out of it today.

    • drughi
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      nearly an siggy assist

    • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ake is an actual beast. Great player.

    • Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ake dribbling past 8 arsenal players with ease. What a beast

      1. Misery Loves Kompany
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Gullit esque that run was, and with the hairstyle you could squint and think it was him! Great player finally getting his chance.

    • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Alonso > Ake... Profit.

    • Aston-villain
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Rmt please guys (not WC); did ask earler but bottomed

      ____________ Boruc ___________
      Valencia-------Baines-------Alonso
      Alli-----Hazard-----Lallana----Walcott
      ____Benteke----Costa----Ibra_____

      Pickford....Amat..Fletcher..Kingsley
      0.2 itb 0 ft (if i go with above which is Evans+Mane to Alli+Banies -4)

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Alonso > Brunt, Valencia > Jones, Amat > Ake, Kingsley > Friend, Fletcher > (Allen, Stanislas, Capoue, Phillips etc) for a more rounded squad imo... Brunt Baines Jones a great affordable points machine of a defence backed up by Ake/Friend on bench.

        1. SEXY SALAH
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          This and Defoe for Tekkers, would like to see Sanchez in there too.

    • bojack
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Is it me or have Arsenal never been the same since they lost Petit and Viera. They've never had a leader since.

      1. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        they had a few potential leaders over the years but they sold them as soon as they started taking a leadership role in the team.

        1. SEXY SALAH
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Yes like Fabregas

    • Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Daniels nailed on for 3 baps.. 15 pointer incoming!

    • Mr. Blonde
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Stanislas code

      1. Mr. Blonde
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        *close

      2. bojack
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Sounds like a new film starring Liam Neeson:

        'The Stanislas Code: one man, one code, one mission'

        1. Business Cat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          He does have a very particular set of skills. Skills acquired over a very long career. Skills that make him a nightmare for people like you...

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Stanislas vs Hull, he's in!

    • Limbo
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Tempted to Wild Card

    • Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Stanislas is looking like an excellent enabler for Kobra...

    • FAT PANDA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Baines Brunt Daniels is my goal.

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        15 pointers each, week in week out

      2. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        with courtois in goal

    • Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Cmon u Cherries!!!

    • Ha.
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Stanislas needs to save it for next week

    • It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Welcome to my team Stanis!

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Got him on a WC last week! Warming my bench so hope he stays fit for next gameweek.

      2. SEXY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I really like him and considering in the future. Thought he was on pens?

    • Syd.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Arsenal miss Feo

    • FALCAO & MOU
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Played Bellerin over Ake, this was bound to happen.

    • Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Smith to ake with only 4.6 to play with is a no brainer right?

      1. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        yup

    • Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Surely Giroud doesn't get the service without Ozil so why play him? 451 with Sanchez leading the line and hit Bournemouth on the break with through balls.

    • Kaneyonero
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Typical effing gw. Sanchez and Zaha owner and the opposing teams are dominating. Murphys law for you

    • makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Swansea aka one man team.

    • Cato Fong 你好
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Benched Aké for Amat last week and for Friend this week, my my...