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. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Would you do Defoe to Benteke for free?

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

      Yes

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

      Yes

    3. Egyptian Giza
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      tough but no for me

    4. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Yes

  2. Egyptian Giza
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    anyone here with Valdes and Gibson considering getting King in to polarize one of the matches at least plus he has awesome fixtures? or are we in a stage of the season that mathematically it's incorrect to get a SGW player (ie I have used my WC)?

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Already have King and think he is a great asset. He should score at home to Boro

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      I wish I had him in my squad. Thinking that I may get him in my gw36 wildcard as I'm sure he will do better than most dgwers over that 3 week stretch

  3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Well lads and lasses, any help in this lot?...only 3 DGW assets; 1FT, 1.3Mill itb
    Jaku Heaton
    Barragan Valencia Alonso Verty Daniels
    Zaha Hazard Eriksen King TCarroll
    Kun Kaku Kane
    Would you?
    (A) get Ibra from Kun
    (B) get Teke from Kun
    (C) get Gredo from Kun
    (D) get DeGea from Heaton/Jaku
    (E) hold
    (F) any combination
    Also- is Valdes ok?

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Will use my WC week 36

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

      Kun to Ibra for me

      1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Surely he will be rested for one game- many are predicting it will be the Burnley game.

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

          Still prefer him even if he plays 90+30mins.

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

            Been rested already.

            1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 28 days ago

              Hmmm... good shout BoomBoom...Cheers

  4. istanbul05
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Currently tempted to go without Ibra/Benteke... is this a viable option?

    A) Evans to Barragan (Bench Davies/Alonso)
    B) Siggy to Townsend (Bench Llorente)
    C) Evans, Llorente to Barragan, Negredo (-4, bench Siggy)

    1FT and only 0.2m ITB

    Grant,
    Alonso, Valencia, Davies,
    Sanchez, Alli, Coutinho, Siggy, Zaha,
    Kane, Kaku,

    Jaku, Llorente, Evans, Amat.

    Thanks Guys

    1. Egyptian Giza
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      have one of them at least. boro's attack is non existing, also I doubt Neg will start both matches.

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      A
      Definitely a viable option to go without Ibra and Teke

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

    Dead last on previous page...

    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!

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

      B

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

      B for. Me. Looks like arsenal are losing it and Middlesbrough don't often score.

    3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      B

  6. 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 (have Valencia already)

    Which one?

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

      Will I regret getting rid of stones ?

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Get DeGea - least likely to be rotated... many think Bailey and Rojo won't be rotated but I am not sure about that even.. DeGea may be the only safe one

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

      I'm probably going to double up on Boro defence for the dgw and then just transfer one of them straight back out next week

  7. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    GTG?

    Grant
    Mee Alonso Baines
    Zaha(v) de Roon Alli Sanchez
    Lukaku Benteke Rashford (C)

    (Foster Son Chambers Brunt)

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

      Have you taken any hits? Rashford cap is brave!

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Nope. Should I?

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

          No gtg. Unless you start Chambers over Mee and hope he plays?

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

      Brave man.

  8. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Rather than come up with a ludicrous chip to replace AOA how about FPL just go with two chips ?

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      nah I like AoA, can be helpful every now and then.

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

        Very rarely is, 99% of people who've used it (I get that figure from the people who have commented on its use) have ended up loosing points.

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

      Post game bench joker to being in a high scoring sub

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

    If you have two Boro defenders and they are awful then wk35 is tough as Boro have a tough fixture

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

      Most people will probably take one out and be bench fodder until dgw37

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

    will i regret getting rid of stones ?

    1. Egyptian Giza
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      I have him, I don't know why he didn't play last game. No you will not is my answer.

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

      Not as much as I regreted owning him

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

      No

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

    I've ate more eggs this weekend than my 11 have BAPs

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

      You can eat 6 eggs a day without any problem

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

    Bottomed

    Carrol sterling --》 Ibrah Davies -4

    Will have just zaha Ibrah Valencia for dgw.

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

    Not been mentioned much but I love the idea of non EPL games (i.e. the FA Cup semis) being played and then some of those teams playing in EPL games, all while locked behind a deadline.

    Talk about a bear trap...

    1. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Grant Siggy Mawson Britos should handle any bumps my team encounters

  14. EDEN THE MAN
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Gibson or Bailly in?

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

      Bailly x 10000

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

        Wait to decide after thursday EL match

        1. EDEN THE MAN
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Why would EL effect it?

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

            He might play and get injured.

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

            Bailly can get injured

  15. Magic Bean
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Early thoughts on this lot?

    Heaton
    Valencia Gibson Davies
    Siggy Coutinho Zaha Alli
    Lukaku Aguero Kane
    (Pickford Capoue Robertson Love)
    0.8itb 1ft

    Aguero>Zlatan is the obvious choice but have to wait til Thursday and see.
    Any other stand out transfers?

  16. Frank Koscielny
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Origi to

    A. Benteke (already have Zaha and quite difficult fixtures although form)
    B. Rashford (some form and better fixtures but not necessarily nailed)
    C. Negredo (looks nailed, but negredo. however, it doesn't get more differential than negredo)

    Cheers!

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      C

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

      A

    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Benteke looks like the sensible option because he has the potential to score points , nailed on , Palace are on form . Boro and Negredo have not been scoring goals all year and Rashford is not guaranteed to start both games and he won't be playing as a number 9 if Ibra starts .

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

      Yeah same options here. Don't fancy Ibra.

      Gonna go Benteke. Nailed unlike the other two and team has better attacking stats.

      I do like Rashford such an ultimate diff, but game time such an issue.

      1. Frank Koscielny
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Cheers! Seems like tekkers will rise tonight?

  17. ManUtdFan_UK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Heaton, (Pickford)
    Alonso, Valencia, Holgate (Evans, Chambers)
    Sanchez, Alli, Eriksen, Coutinho, Zaha
    Kane, Lukaku (Barnes)

    1FT, £1.3m ITB.

    Have exact money to do Heaton, Evans, Lukaku > Hennessey, Gibson, Ibra (c) (-8).

    Wildcarding GW35.

    I know I should wait, but with exact money, would you do it?

    1. ManUtdFan_UK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Alternatively, Heaton, Sanchez, Barnes > Hennessey, Townsend, Ibra(c)

      (So I don't lose value on Lukaku and would get Sanchez back from GW35 onwards)

      1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Like DeGea and Valdes a lot more than Hennessy who faces Pool on the road and then Spurs- yuk

  18. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 28 days ago

    Should I do Kun and Luk to Ibra and tekkers for -4?

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

      Yes

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Tough one

      It could backfire spectacularly.

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Risk vs reward...going with my gut I guess. Luk really worries me

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

          Lukaku wants the golden boot, Kane wants it also...

          1. KUN+10
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 28 days ago

            Yep...Kane is my third foward

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

              I had Kun, Lukaku, Origi, I bought in Kane, financed by Sanchez. Not keen on Benteke and not particuarly for Ibra. It could backfire on me, but my front line now is what I will have for rest of the season unless Kuns minutes get threatened. If your doing it just for the double and have a wc or you can move them back out easy enough then its probably not too bad an idea. It was touch or go if I get Kane or Ibra. If you have to get Ibra I think then Kun should make way or as I did Sanchez

              1. KUN+10
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 28 days ago

                I agree. Thanks for the comments. I parted ways with Sanchez to finance Kane and it worked out.

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

    Do we think Chelsea are likely to react against their defeat to Utd by giving Southampton a beating or so Chelsea just look out of form?

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      I don't think they'll give anyone a beating but I do expect them to win. 1-0/2-1

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

      Just a regular win.

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

      2-1 to Chelsea

    4. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Bounced back well after the Palace defeat. Fixtures are good for the run in, SOU, eve, MID, wba, WAT, SUN. Everton the toughest game on paper, beat them 5 nil in the reverse fixture although their record at Goodison is mixed in the league W2L2 in the last 4 seasons

    5. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Chelsea will win 3-1... but not capable of a Spurs like thrashing... but they will win he league with their Cushy schedule

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

    i still have chambers, should I play him or switch to some Boro defenders who might play?

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 28 days ago

        May as well hold for further news.

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Ibra and Benteke both sure to rise tonight?

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

        Not certain as the sites aren't 100% accurate, but likely.

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          That's a diplomatic answer

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

            More helpful than my usual posts. 😉

            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 28 days ago

              That's not saying much 😉
              Unfortunately me saying that is the ultimate case of this
              https://sidoxia.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/pot-kettle-black.jpg

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

                Racism reported. 😮

                1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
                  • 13 Years
                  7 years, 28 days ago

                  I'm tight with Optimus 😎 . Good luck getting me banned 😉

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

                    😀

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

        Hope so,

    3. Winners900
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Is Stephens nailed?

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

        Seems it but Yoshida is worth the paying a little extra for!

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

      Heaton (mid)
      Friend (bou SUN) Valencia (bur mci) Alonso (SOU) Bavies (cry)
      Sanchez (LEI) Alli (cry) Eriksen (cry) Siggy (STK)
      Aguero (MUN) Lukaku (whu)
      Subs: Pickford (MUN) Barnes (MUN) Yoshida (che) Fletcher

      Aguero and Fletcher to Zlatan and Zaha scuppered by price rises.

      Probably just do Aguero and Yoshida to Zlatan and PVA/Gibson and roll out 4-4-2 Bavies first on bench.

      Anything stands out as wise moves to you?

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

      do i get gibson or bailly if I already own valencia

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

        Bailly

      2. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        I have all those 3

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

      Should i bench someone from Siggy/Lukaku/Alli/Origi for Clayton?

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        lol

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

        sorry, who is Clayton, never heard of him 🙂

        1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          Boro Mid

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

        No but maybe turn Origi into Negredo or Benteke?

    7. Steirish
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Anyone know what the average score was this week?

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

        It says 38 on the fpl site, but don`t think it`s updated

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

        Top 10k - 57. Overall - 45.

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

        45, 55 in top 10k

    8. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Do I wait till after EL to bring Bailly in?

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

        Yes

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

        Why wouldn't you?

      3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Oh yes... this DGW is very tough

    9. Hakchak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      To Ibra or not to Ibra... that's the big question for this week - TM are either you or Mark going to bring him in?

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

      Is it worth taking a hit to get Benteke in for Origi?

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

        I think so

    11. Mancunian
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 28 days ago

      Who to bench out of these 8 attackers? (AoA played)

      Siggy- King - Sanchez - Alli - Zaha

      Benteke - Lukaku - Kane

      1. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 28 days ago

        Everyone saying Siggy to me. Have the same front 8 except for Zaha (Son)

        1. Mancunian
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 28 days ago

          The only reason I'm keeping Siggy is coz he could finally turn up in this GW but Swansea have been dreadful