Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Middlesbrough vs Arsenal

After Diego Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed a single point between them at Old Trafford yesterday, all eyes are on Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal roll up to the Riverside in tonight’s final Gameweek fixture.

Recently shuffled onto the left flank, a run of three matches without a goal has knocked our confidence in the Chilean ahead of the Gunners’ double Gameweeks 36 and 37.

Indeed, only 5.9% have handed Sanchez the armband as he attempts to reclaim his spot as top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League, having been knocked off his perch by Romelu Lukaku at the weekend.

Tonight’s team selection looks to have handed Sanchez a change of role. To everyone’s surprise, Arsene Wenger appears to have set up with a 3-4-2-1 formation or even a 3-4-1-2, with Sanchez perhaps joining Olivier Giroud up front – a concern perhaps for the 91,000+ who sold the Chilean ahead of Gameweek 33.

Tonight’s encounter also gives us the chance to run the rule over the hosts as they prepare for a potentially profitable double Gameweek 34 against Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Both Victor Valdes and Ben Gibson currently sit second for transfers in among keepers and defenders since Saturday’s deadline, though in the four matches under new manager Steve Agnew, Boro have been somewhat hot and cold – keeping two clean sheets and conceding at least three times in the other two.

Valdes misses out this evening with a rib problem sustained at Burnley last time out – an injury kept under wraps until tonight: Brad Guzan claims the keeper’s jersey.

Sitting six points from safety, the Teesside team are in desperate need of wins now. Having failed to score in six of their last eight, though, most will likely steer clear of the hosts’ attack unless they can punish the Gunners this evening.

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

4,192 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tronity
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Not bringing in 30% owned (and rising) Ibra for a double game week with no other obvious captain choice may well be the biggest FPL gamble I've ever made.

    If I decide not to...

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Half of that are dead teams I would imagine.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Many are certainly talking the talk...

  2. Mattymo23
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Any cheap defenders with good fixtures?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Stones / Gabriel

      1. Mattymo23
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Either aren't nailed?

    2. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      think Hull are worth a shout, they have ok fixtures. Dont expect them to get many CS, but they dont lose at home and are getting alot of attacking returns at the moment and will continue to do so. Hull need the goals, a Leicester defender is a good shout also. Im getting Huth after next week, probabl;y not many cs if any but he can score and assist a fair bit. Stoke have ok fixtures and Burnely also, so maybe Pieters and Mee?

      1. Mattymo23
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Cheers, Leicester fixtures are meh though. Yeah was thinking of getting Robertson

        1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Kompany could work out

    3. Pigeon
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Any boro just for next week

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Friend or Stephens!

  3. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Who are you guys benching in 34? (Excludes AOA and BB users).

    Could end up being Siggy. This is the problem of upgrading your 5th mid and actually playing him...

    1. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      If I play de roon then king or siggy.

      Maybe king.

      1. L S P
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        same: king or siggy - currently King

    2. Mattymo23
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Wally

    3. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Grosicki or King - undecided as of yet.

  4. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Sanchezs BPS fell of the cliff

    Was he that bad tonight

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      To be fair, they always do. Direct style, lots of lost possesions. Wasnt particularly in form also apart from that beauty of a free kick.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Lost ball a lot.

    3. Vinyl78LP
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Was trying eye of a needle through balls repeatedly that were'nt coming off.

      Xhaka bap is a joke (essentially for being fouled) - Sanchez goal and critical pass for the 2nd should have got 3 baps every day of the week.

      1. L S P
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        this

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A standard FK only went in cause Guzan left the goal open. Good ball to Ramsey for the winner but poor overall. Bad passes, touches and should have been booked.

  5. Kanteisking
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Grant, Jaku
    Valencia,Stones, Alonso, Stephens, Holgate
    Sanchez, Ali, Siggy, Zaha, Davies
    Lukaku, Aguero, Kane

    1FT 0ITB
    Want Hazard this week. Worth ditching one of the front three for a DGW? Or lose Alonso instead? Thinking Siggy out but no doubt he will score this week to punish me!

  6. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Two days ago: "Agnew confirms: "Every single player is fit and champing at the bit to be involved."

    Today: "Valdes fails to recover from the rib injury he suffered against Burnley last weekend."

    Agnew is going to ruin my DGW.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Screw Negredo. Probably play Gestede.

    2. matiakez
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Annoying Valdes in for foster was what I was planning.

  7. Cpthavoc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Oh no I accidentally activated all out attack! Can it be cancelled?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      yes

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Yes

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Yes.

    4. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Yeah, but it's a really complicated process. Give me your email and password and I'll do it for you.

  8. FPL Alaska
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    For those who still have wildcard left, when you planning to use it?

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      36 wildcard
      37 bb

      1. Geezer
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        This

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Saturday the 29th of April at about 2.08pm

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      When are you planning to use yours?

      1. FPL Alaska
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Not sure yet. I am thinking 36.

    4. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Thanks

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Have you got your TC chip?

  9. Mattymo23
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Vert and Wally to Robertson and Son for -4. Yay or Nay

    1. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Just Wally

      1. Mattymo23
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Can't as I have 3 Spurs player. Now having said that what is your answer?

        1. NestorC
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          I wouldn't do it than

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Check Wally's record against Leicester...ship at your own peril

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Won't score on the bench.

  10. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Sanchez to Hazard for free
    Yay or nay?

    1. L S P
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Nay

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Up against leaky Leicester next, nay

  11. upforgrabs
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Heaton
    Alonso - Valencia - Chambers
    Sánchez - Alli - Siggy - King
    Kane - Lukaku - Negredo
    (Robinson, Snoddy, Baines, Brunt)
    1 FT, 1.6 ITB

    This look reasonable?
    Brunt -> Bailly/Gibson
    Snoddy -> Zaha (-4)

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Yup

      1. Cheese Crunch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        yeah but who is your (C) with this lineup?? asking for a friend

  12. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    A)PVA or Gibson?
    B)Negredo or Benteke?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      G & B

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        thanks

  13. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Who to sell for Ibra ?

    A Kun (MUN mid)
    B Lukaku (whm CHE)

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A) if you have the wc.

  14. Pigeon
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Should I get rid of Valencia and Jaku for Gibson and DDG or should I just get Valdes? Or maybe just DDG?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Why Valencia?

      1. Pigeon
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Rotation risk

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          But might play both games.

          1. Pigeon
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            Suppose, hopefully Valdes is fit

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      I'd stick with both, I've the same two. I MIGHT get Guzan in for Jaku, if Valdes is confirmed out.

  15. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    hey guys, which new chips do people suggest need to be added in FPL. most if not all people seem to agree that AOA is a shire
    chip.

    I wish there could be a chip where one goes with a full first 11 of a single team for a particular game week once a season or a chip that allows you to make one substitution even when the gw has started.

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A chip where you get double points for your captain and vice captain!

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      This stopped being funny yesterday 🙂

    4. Fowler23
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Highest scoring captain chip. Your highest scoring player is automatically doubled for the GW

    5. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      First chip idea isn't appealing whatsoever, like the sound of the second idea though

    6. maditass
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      The possibility to sub your highest scoring sub. Maybe have 2 Gk's instead of a third defender. Make it so that you can play 2-5-3 not only with a chip, but as one of the standard formations as it is possible to play 5-2-3 formation. Or that your highest scoring sub always gets in even if that means you end up with a 2-5-3 formation 😛
      And perhaps if a player playes less then like 15 mins (like if he gets injured after 10 mins of the game) there is a autosub from your bench from someone that played 90

  16. Richd
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Is Benteke that much better than Negredo?

    Can do a -4 and have 3 DGW with Negredo inc Valencia
    or -8 and have Benteke and 4DGW inc Valencia..

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Both awful. I'd be tempted to go negredo just due to fixtures. Don't like a -8 personally

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Go big

  17. Manani
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    i got alli, eriksen + davies, but I want kane. should I do eriksen>someone and aguero > kane?

  18. Lizard Lips
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    People ask me, why am I obsessed with a top 1k finish which now just isn't ever going to happen. For me it's the idea of only having to recall 3 digits to announce your rank! Well played to Mark and Torres who both may well accomplish this rank, and not for the first time!

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      You can easily make top 1K from where you are.

      1. Lizard Lips
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        True. I tend to fall off a cliff at this stage of the season, hope you're right. Andy is on stream now discussing bringing in Pogba, I won't be doing that!

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          *gets Pogba*

          1. Lizard Lips
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            🙂

      2. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        How do you reply to this?

        1. Lizard Lips
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Reply button, you just did ya turnip!!! ha 🙂

          1. fedolefan
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            Is that the first time you've ever laughed? Glad I could make it happen.

  19. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    My rival in my main ML is 40 points ahead of me and has Hazard. Considering their decent fixtures and the fact the still have points they need to play for should I get Hazard in for damage limitation or get a differential and hope Haz stays quiet?

    1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      get Hazard, he is determiend to win the title. Saw an interview with him from like 2 weeks ago and he knows he has to keep performing or they aint going to win it. I think Hazard is a must have tbh, this weeks blank will put people off

      1. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Nice thoughts. The blank doesn't put me off at all as I know it was a tactic of Man Utd to keep him out of the game.

        Think you're right about him being essential.

  20. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Alonso (flagged), Fabio (flagged), Origi > PVA, Gibson, Benteke -8?

    Yay or nay? Thanks.

    1. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Calm the knee. Would rather have Alonso for one game than pva for two

  21. Fowler23
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Is Origi to negredo worth a -4?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Yeah

  22. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Who is the one person who gives the consistently best advice on here? I would like to ask him a question

    1. Bobby
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Or her. Apologies.

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Jafiooli

      1. Bobby
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Excellent thank you. I will now press f5 repeatedly until he comes on here.

    3. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Why don't you just ask the question to everyone?

  23. Sotamendi84
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    which combo is the best?
    A) benteke (c) + friend + lukaku (bench siggy)
    B) ibra (c) + townsend + holebas (bench origi)

    Repost

  24. FortunesAlwaysHiding
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Who from Friend or Chambers in for Mawson?

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Friend?

  25. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    A) what players do you think are going to have a strong run in?
    B) Are Chelsea seeing a down turn now?

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A) spurs players
      B) if they win both eve and sou i think they are champions

  26. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Best Boro defender for 4.4 ?

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Friend

  27. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Carrol sterling --》 Ibrah Davies -4

    Will have just zaha Ibrah Valencia for dgw.

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Sounds decent move but maybe downing instead of Davies?

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Downing a great shout mate can just afford that..although I'll have a benching headache for sure . Thanks

  28. Torres76
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Options

    1. Double up on Boro defence knowing they have poor fixture in GW35 (already have Barragan)

    2. Get a Palace defender knowing they have a good fixture in GW35

    3. Get a United defender knowing they have a good fixture in GW35 (for Valencia already)

    Which one?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      3 ..other two are horrible

  29. Lizard Lips
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    George Friend was good tonight. Hopefully he starts playing regularly now, probably benched again though.

  30. Tronity
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Looks like it comes down to who scores more:

    a) Sanchez and Negredo
    b) Zaha and Ibra minus 4 points?

    Going to be a tough few days deciding which!