Dugout Discussion
12 February 2017 912 comments
Paul Paul
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Sunday treats us to two more Gameweek 25 matches as Burnley entertain Chelsea in the early 1.30pm kick-off.

The Clarets may well offer stubborn resistance to the league leaders today. Sean Dyche’s men are no pushovers in front of their own fans, with just a single goal conceded in the last four at Turf Moor.

Yet that fine home record clearly hasn’t deterred those holding Chelsea’s main men.

Handed the armband by 10.9% and 4.9% FPL managers respectively, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are amongst the top six captained players for this round of fixtures.

Faith in Marcos Alonso is also on the rise – he was subject to over 111,000 transfers in after netting for the fourth time this season in last week’s win over Arsenal. The Spaniard continues to offer a steady stream of points at both ends of the pitch, producing a goal, assist or clean sheet in 15 of his 18 starts under Antonio Conte.

Subsequently, Clarets stopper Tom Heaton – the top scoring keeper in FPL – has been named as a sub by 403,000+ managers this week, he third most benched player in the Gameweek.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

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  1. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Think Im going Sanchez out for Mane instead of Haz. Feels better.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Ok.

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      don't do it

    3. vectorman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Probably done the same myself but for their fixtures Pool and the fact we need more evidence they really have turned the corner. We know what Pool are like, can be brilliant against the top sides then mugs against the Accrington Stanley's of this world..

    4. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Ugh thinking a similar route here, I'm utterly uninspired by owning Haz - great player for your 5-a-side team, but a consistent FPL troll every single time.

      1. Ibracadabra
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        A troll with 6 points per game. One of best players in league over last 3 years. Silly.

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 16 days ago

          class is permanent, time to get Haz

        2. Individual
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 16 days ago

          I know - it's my own individual (see what I did there???) bias that is forming my perceptions here.

          I am considering Hazard very strongly for the next gw, but I am not too keen on it.

          I also refer you to this community article: http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/02/09/hunting-fantasy-footballs-biggest-trolls/

          ps. I love "silly!" I haven't heard anyone calling anyone that for ages!!! So childish isn't it 🙂

          1. Ibracadabra
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 16 days ago

            Fair enough. Just not going to read that article as have played the game for 13 years and watch about 50% of PL matches each weekend and can see with my eyes who the world class players are, and Eden Hazard is one on a title winning team, on penalties, and motivated w/ confidence.

            1. Individual
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 16 days ago

              Ah mate, fair does, no beef - glad you replied rather than leaving it - I've been playing for a few years myself, but only really properly the last 3/4 🙂

              I just watched the game too and love Hazard as a player - as I said, in my 5-a-side team - but as an FPL asset I often feel I don't have the confidence in him to bring him in, plus obviously I fall prey to recency bias because of bringing him in after his big performance v. Everton this year and seeing meagre returns (I still rue the fact Zlatan got those late points on boxing day - I had Haz (c) with that pen goal, looked genius before Ibra stepped up!)

              But it'd be silly to ignore him because of the reasons you've said, I totally agree with you 😉

              1. Ibracadabra
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 16 days ago

                Yes it is always tough to have the resolve after having been burned by a player, and even on days like today, owning a 10m+ asset isn't fun when they return only 2 pts, but think over the long haul if he's fit and passes the "eye test," you can do no wrong with him in your side and then focus on other areas for improvement. He is cheaper than Costa, Kane, Ibrahimovic for example and has returned more points than all three of them. I am not saying by any means I am perfect, I had him in my GW1 side, then dropped him after 5 or 6 weeks and didn't bring him back in until much later but he is one of those "set it and forget it" players when fit which is a luxury to have especially when you need to make transfers elsewhere. Good luck to both of us!

                1. Individual
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 16 days ago

                  Mate loving the theorycrafting 🙂

                  Yes I agree - I brought Kaku back in for his haul (though sadly I didn't captain - ML rivals had 3x Spurs so I captained Alli to cover... fool me) but he is right up there as my biggest FPL "troll", but I'm not an idiot and can't ignore the fixtures nor the circumstances.

                  I also love a "set and forget". It's a bit tough at the moment because of the uncertainty around GW28 and the blanks in GW26, but I'm definitely considering Haz (despite the prior ersatz flippancy) and wish I owned him (despite today) as it would solve a problem next week, when the Chelsea (and Spurs) games assume undue prominence due to City, Arsenal and United all blanking.

                  Good luck to you too! Always nice to speak to someone on the forum who can substantiate their views and answers back with well thought out replies 🙂

  2. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    That first touch from Pedro deserves all the BAPs

    1. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Agreed. The sort of touch that wins you points and matches.

  3. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Would be interesting if bonus were awarded on a straight scale across all matches. None of these low BPS scores racking up the extra points.

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Yeah, I was thinking that before. Would be fairer.

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Yeah there probably should be a minimum BPS needed or no baps.

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        Yeah, the quality of the play seems to get a bit lost in the current system.

  4. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Cap next week? Haz, Costa or Kaku?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Haz or Kaku, can't trust either, likely to go wrong :/

    2. greghammer95
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Rondon.

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        *pukes

      2. Individual
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        I lol'd irl.

        Own. Have to keep. Hate owning.

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Kaku, no question.

    4. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Kaku. 2 pointer incoming. But still, Kaku.

    5. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Luk

    6. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Rondon

    7. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Lukaku surely

  5. Stupendous
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Thinking of keeping and benching Sanchez through the blanks.

    Means no Lukaku

    Madness? Both parts madness?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      gotta get the big man

      1. Stupendous
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        I think I should too tbh

    2. Stupendous
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      No Lukaku as I would need hits every week to mess up my team balance

    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      It's a valid tactic.

    4. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Ah no get Lukaku in.

    5. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      I keeping Sanchez and benching, will get Lukaku after GW27 anyways cause I don't fancy him to get anything away to Spurs

    6. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Gotta get Lukaku, plenty more to ditch before Sanchez unless you've no money tied up mind

  6. Crazy Joe
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    1 goal in 5 away games, Diego Fraudsta.

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      how many Haz got? Nothing

      1. Crazy Joe
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        I don't have either of them so sounds good to me.

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 16 days ago

          at least Costa gets assists. Better pick than Kane by a mile

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Quite game, nice pass to Haz early doors, about it.

      1. Netley Lucas
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        *Quiet

  7. Shultan
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    35k in now for gabiadinni!
    are casuals that log in & see him 2nd on transfers in, gettin him in because others are & its snowballing!
    Reckon he'll be over 100k in before GW26 starts

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      tbh, most semi-casuals have a strong bench, i.e they don't get bench fodder. Therefore they can afford to bench him for 1 week

      1. fiveyears
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        I get what you're saying, but I'd be amazed if that's the motive behind Gabbiadini transfers.

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      If you log in, you can click straight to transfers and then bring him in without seeing any fixtures, that could account for a few. A few might be on WC and hoping for a double rise. The other few, well they're just...

    3. Shultan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      I just hope by the time, GW29 comes around i'll be able to afford him.

  8. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Costa fail today.

    Really need a Siggy super show now

  9. Mattymo23
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Is trying to get in as many players that will play in GW28 as possible and WC GW29 madness?

    1. greghammer95
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      I'm basing my transfers on this and fixtures post gw28. If there are only 3 games on I won't stress.

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      I'd keep Wildcard for the DGW's at this stage, most teams will be lucky to field 4 or 5 players GW28 anyway

      1. Mattymo23
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        But I could get in people for DGW's in GW29?

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      utter madness

    4. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      If the worst does happen (3 game GW28), having 7/8/9 players will be fine.

      Don't take masses of hits to rip up your team ahead of GW28.

      Certainly don't WC...that would be criminal!

    5. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      I want my fifth mid and my bench defenders to have games, the rest I won't waste a lot of transfers on.

  10. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Looks like Ibra > Costa is on the cards for me this week....will see how good/bad Swansea defend today first do

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Swans have improved, but Costa is still worth buying with dem fixtures

      1. Ravager
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        I wouldn't mind shifting Ibra for a bit, but already have LuCosta and want the cash..

  11. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Never bench Alonso.

    1. 1569Tippins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Stupid comment

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        +1

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      more like never captain 🙁

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      With only 5 blanks from 20 games you're certainly right!

    4. Deus
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      *McAuley

  12. greghammer95
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Trying to ignore the transfer market and rises has done me good the past few weeks. Managing to save transfers and not mess with my team. I think with Aguero being out of the equation and there actually being limited big hitters it's less relevant or necessary.

    1. janowsc
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      I'm with you there, gonna try and be patient until the fa matches are done.

    2. Ibracadabra
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      This 100%. You can field an EXCELLENT side for 103m or so. No need to worry about big price swings with the likes of Lukaku, Siggy, and mid priced defenders out there doing the business.

    3. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Right on, Greg!

      That's 12.8-13.0 I don't have to worry about trying to integrate into my team, so I'm happier now than before to let Sanchez/Ibra drop a little bit so I make as good a call as I can with all the information available to me

  13. janowsc
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Anyone else armband siggy? Hoping he saves my GW!

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Mark I think

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Yep, yours and mine, have faith bro lol 😉

      1. janowsc
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        I believe!

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 16 days ago

          I am drinking slightly faster than normal though lol

          1. Business Cat
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 16 days ago

            Need another trip to the off-licence before kick-off? 😉

            1. Netley Lucas
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 16 days ago

              Nah, got 5 left for the game, should be okay. 😉

              1. Business Cat
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 16 days ago

                Litre bottles of spirits? 😉

                Taking rough with the smooth to extremes!

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      To Ciggy!

    4. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      o/

    5. Ridcully
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      I captained him.

    6. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Was looking for a way to fit him in before the GW.

      Can see a goal and assist incoming.

      I have KdB tomorrow, whom I had to keep for bournemouth away. But I love Siggy as an FPL asset and wish I could've fitted him in.

    7. Haz84
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      I am in the same boat 0/

    8. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Me. Need 10 points from him (before doubling) to draw my H2H against TM.

    9. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Mark, Jonty and Granville have all captained him too.

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        Wisdom of crowds 😉

        1. RedLightning
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 16 days ago

          Wisdom or foolishness.
          Hope it's the former!

  14. Sweetboi
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Pick one lads:

    a) Jones > Brunt/Funes Mori

    b) Alexis > Mané

    c) Ibra > Lukaku

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      keep Ibra, but find a way to get kaku

  15. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Hands up if you need Jesus to save ure GW! \0/

    1. Dreams
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Need Raz Sterling.

    2. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      o/

      He's got his work cut out considering I don't even own him

    3. janowsc
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      He'll save my GW, but not in the way you're hoping for. =p

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        😉 16 pointer incoming

  16. The Head-Ake
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Jak
    Alonso - Walker - McAuley - Chambers
    Snoddy - Eriksen - Mane - Philips
    Lukaku - Costa (Henessey - Ibra - Holgate - Siggy)

    Did Mane and Siggy in and am thinking of getting Sanchez in back for gameweek 29 so planning ahead. Choices:

    1) Kaku out - Philips out - Snoddy out to San + Morrison + Crouch
    2) Kaku out - Walker out - Snoddy out to Crouch + San + Funes Mori
    3) Others - please specify

    Really Really appreciate suggestions and as many replies as possible 😀

    1. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Hello again dude,

      Wait til after FA Cup 5th round games. More games might open up for later planning - remember there's a lot of blanks in gw28 coming up - so you want to make sure you're bringing in players that fit the criteria of no blanks in 26 and 28.

      No need to plan ahead just yet - much can change - but I'd say that keeping Kaku is a good idea, as he has a GW28 fixture and is looking in decent form.

      Too many unknown unknowns to give much advice at this point. Hold your knees tight and wait til closer to the time 🙂

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        So you reckon I wait to use my transfers - prolly keep FT for next week?

        1. Individual
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 16 days ago

          Well you have 2 weeks til the next FPL gw - FA cup, europa league, champions league in between.

          You have a strong squad for 26, so I'd probably either hold your FT but make a change if there's a bit injury (e.g. Costa injured or something).

          With the 2FTs you can make much more difference and adapt to the form and it gives you that adaptability.

          Good that you're planning ahead, but GW27 is so far in advance and there's a lot to happen - what if Hazard scores 4, would you suddenly want him in, too? - so you have to give "future you" the best chance of catering to those changes, meaning I wouldn't worry too much right now about 27 as there's still 26 to get through 🙂

          ... as you can tell, I've played FPL for a while so I'm a bit less worried about what's happened this week vs. the "long game"

          1. The Head-Ake
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 16 days ago

            Thanks a lot for that reply. Insightful piece of advice there. Really appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts - I think I'll do what you suggested. Cheers lad!

            1. Individual
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 16 days ago

              No worries, a good chance I am totally wrong but have learnt over time (a lot from great posters on these forums that I can never even hope to be as good as!) how best to navigate these tricky times last year, so hope it helps you 🙂

  17. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Score prediction?

    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      1-1

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      2-1

    3. mojoindojo
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      6-1 with Siggy double hattrick

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Hope 3-0, fear 0-3 lol

  18. Point-one short
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    YC for Sterling and City to concede would be a good result. Hope Bmth can find some of their previous form.

    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Need Ake back

  19. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    52 all out

    No more players left so I will be wishing who ever has players left to play lots and lots of misfortune, missed penalties and a few red cards 😉

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      30 here with Sterling to spare. So 32 it is.

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        You forgot his yellow card and early substitution

        1. The Head-Ake
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 16 days ago

          Dude...

  20. KUNingas
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Cedric ->
    A) Brunt
    B) Hull defender
    C) Other

    1. KUNingas
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Alonso, Coleman, Valencia and Holebas othet defenders

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      A ofc

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      A easy

  21. mojoindojo
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Having a strong defence has cost me quite some points.

    It seems I am benching the wrong defenders almost every week. Alonso and Luiz gave me 3 points with 16 from McAuley and Pieters on bench.

    At least I will be able to field a strong team next GW.

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      start playing 4-3-3

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        I'm on 4-3-3 now until I can eject Phillips after the blanks...working OK

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      Double any defence is playing with fire.

      1. mojoindojo
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 16 days ago

        Aye. Might rid of Luiz

  22. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Ibra dropping tonight, so safe to do Ibra -> Costa now? Anyone doing this? 🙂

    1. Ibracadabra
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      What if Blackburn beat United at home in FA Cup? You would have wanted to hold. I would hold to see FA Cup / Champions League results and injuries.

  23. Bolivian Seaman
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Not too confident about sigurdsson, these type of punts always seem to fail. It should be a high scoring game though

    1. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 16 days ago

      My current scorecard reads:

      Times captained Siggy: 1

      Siggy captain fails: 1

  24. alangreat
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Already on a -4 and if Holgate doesn't play next week I'm one player short.
    Shall I do Ibra to Costa? What concerns me is Costa has been lacking shot attempts in recent games, and Ibra home against Bou could result in a haul...
    Taking an effectively -2 hit for a Costa scoring hope, yay or nay...?

  25. Champione
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Anyone replacing Ibra with someone other than Kane, Costa or Lukaku, for instance Niasse?

  26. 1569Tippins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Foster - Pickford
    Baines - Coleman - Alonso - Walker - Toby
    Antonio - Alli - Sanchez - Snoddy - Siggy
    Rondon - Carroll - Lukaku

    1FT £2.1m ITB

    I have a lot of value already tied up in Alonso - Walker - Alli - Sanchez

    Original plan was to bench all 4 and just field 10 players GW28 if there was only the minimum 3 games.

    But with Alli out of form and about to drop in price, coupled with my 10 players with GW28 fixtures (subject to injuries) I'm tempted to ship Alli this week for in-form Mané.

    What do you all think?

  27. hjalmarekdal
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Hi lads. Already done 1 transfer, Ibra to Costa. I'm planning on keeping Alexis on the bench.

    My current team:

    Jakupovic
    Baines - Walker - Evans
    Eriksen - Phillips - Mirallas - De Roon
    Costa - Kane - Lukaku
    (Foster, Amat, Yoshida, Alexis)

    I would really like to get rid of Mirallas, and if I sell him I have 8.2 itb. Who to transfer in in that case? (I have one more free transfer)

  28. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 16 days ago

    Siggy is basically a slower version of kdb