Dugout Discussion
6 May 2017 1404 comments
Mark Mark
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Following the disappointment of Spurs defeat at West Ham, the Gameweek resumes at the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City host Crystal Palace.

From a Fantasy perspective, there is one man under the microscope.

Brought in by 228,000+ ahead of this weekend – a key target for those dealing Wildcards – Gabriel Jesus goes into today’s game with a weight of expectation on his shoulders. He will lead the City attack in the absence of Sergio Aguero having scored four goals from six appearances and just five shots on target. Over 51,000 have also trusted Jesus with their Gameweek armband for this Palace clash.

Elsewhere, Leroy Sane is recalled to today’s City line-up with the backing of 41,000+ new FPL owners – the 7.7-priced winger remains a key differential, however: he’s still found in just 6.5% of squads.

Indeed, it’s Palace who boast the top owned players in today’s encounter, with both Wilfried Zaha (13.9%) and Christian Benteke (11.1%) still nursing high ownerships following their recent double Gameweek 34.

It remains to be seen if the Eagles pair can improve on the 1-point they both returned against Burnley last weekend. Certainly, the 38,000+ who acquired City keeper Willy Caballero for Gameweek 36 will be hoping they are kept quiet.

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

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  1. Can we count on Conte to not rotaté?
    THE REAL RON ⚽
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    The Chelsea Rotation Question

    Personally, I don't see Spurs rotating too heavily. Poch won't want another season to fizzle out like the last one. But Chelsea? Yes, maybe. The FA Cup Final to come has to be a worry. But other than that, will Conte go sentimental? Or will he want to finish the season in style?

    Considering Conte won three Serie A with Juventus, I thought I'd have a look at the history. 🙂 I don't claim to be any sort of Juve expert, but I'll present the facts to hopefully clear things up.

    2011-12
    There were 11 players who had 30+ league apps (in order):
    Pirlo, Marchisio, Lichtsteiner, Buffon, Barzagli, Chiellini, Vidal, Vucinic, Bonucci, Pepe and Matri.

    Juve won the league with one game to spare - which came 7 days before the cup final.

    In the last league game, Conte started with the following 11 (league apps in brackets):
    Storari (3), Lichtsteiner (36), Bonucci (32), Chiellini (34), Estigarribia (14), Pirlo (37), Padoin (6), Marrone (3), Giaccherini (23), Del Piero (23), Borriello (13).

    Conclusion: Buffon didn't feature in the final, so I assume Storari was a forced change. The only unforced changes for the final appear to be Padoin, Marrone and Giacherrini out. Essentially, it appears Conte only rested Barzagli, Marchisio and Vidal.

    2012-13
    The following season didn't see quite such a consistent line-up. However, the following had 24 apps or more:
    Barzagli, Bonucci, Buffon, Pirlo, Vidal, Giovinco, Vucinic, Marchisio, Lichtsteiner, Quagliarella, Pogba, Asamoah and Chiellini.

    Juventus won the league with three games to spare, with no other competitions at this stage of the season.

    In those three games, the starting 11s were:
    - League won on 5 May: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Vidal, Asamoah, Marchisio, Vucinic.
    - 8 May: Storari, Caceres, Marrone, Chiellini, Isla, Padoin, Pirlo, Giaccherini, de Ceglie, Matri, Quagliarella.
    - 11 May: Storari, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Isla, Vidal, Marrone, Marchisio, Giaccherini, Giovinco, Matri.
    - 18 May: Storari, Caceres, Bonnuci, Chiellini, Isla, Padoin, Pirlo, Giaccherini, de Ceglie, Quagliarella, Giovinco.

    Conclusion: The first thing to note is Storari. Unlike the previous season, Buffon did feature in the squads, so was available - but as soon as the league was won, the veteran back-up (now 40) came in. Fringe players such as Marrone, Padoin, Isla, de Ceglie and Giaccherini all came in.

    In fact, of the regular senior players, Chiellini (captain in Buffon's absence) was the only player to start all three of these dead rubbers. Gary Cahill anyone? 😉

    2013-14
    Top app-makers:
    Pogba, Llorente, Asamoah, Tevez, Buffon, Vidal, Chiellini, Pirlo, Bonucci, Marchisio, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli.

    Juve again had the title wrapped up with three games to spare.

    - 1 May (Europa semi):
    Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres, Bonnuci, Lichsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Vidal, Asamoah, Tevez, Llorente.
    - 5 May: Storari, Barzagli, Ogbonna, Chiellini, Marchisio, Lichtsteiner, Peluso, Osvaldo, Giovinco, Padoin, Pogba.
    - 11 May: Storari, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, Lichsteiner, Asamoah, Llorente, Tevez, Padoin, Pogba.
    - 18 May: Buffon, Caceres, Bonnuci, Ogbonna, Pirlo, Lichsteiner, Asamoah, Llorente, Tevez, Pogba, Marchisio.

    Conclusion: Again, it jumps out that Buffon went straight to the bench - albeit, he got the final game of the season. Of the three stalwart CBs, each got two games (although Chiellini was suspended for the last game). Further up the field, there was the same rotation, with fringe players presumably rewarded for their loyalty. Lichsteiner and Pogba were the only players to get all three.

    Tl;dr:
    Conte has history for rotation, for sure. If we wanted reassurance, this doesn't give it to us. The hard thing will be picking who might get the last two games (assuming the title is wrapped up). One positive is Conte did go quite strong in the final league game of his last title-winning season, so they may finish strong at home.

    Courtois looks a big risk, the CBs are likely to see rotation, the fringe forward players will be rewarded (e.g. Fabregas, Willian, Batshuayi) but Conte didn't really go to youth in his Juventus days.

    Damn. 🙁 😉

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't be want to keep the momentum going into the FA Cup final?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        *he

      2. THE REAL RON ⚽
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        It appeared to be his thinking in 2011-12, with just three regulars rested. The second game of 37 looks a much bigger risk than 38, if all goes to plan in their next two.

      3. nonprophet
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Nice point

    2. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I can't see Costa getting rested, or Hazard really. Maybe Alonso though.

      1. THE REAL RON ⚽
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        I'd say Costa is very much at risk personally. Batshuayi is a perfect example of a player who has been under-played and deserves gametime.

        When you consider Costa could be off in the summer too, that only adds to it.

        1. Dino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Nah Costa is the main man and will want to score as many as possible in the season. Batshauyi just hasn't done it when given chances this season so I can't see him starting the last game at home when the fans will want a party.

    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      This article should be made green!HT it plz

    4. A.T
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Great post. Thanks

      1. THE REAL RON ⚽
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Great title. Thanks 😛

      2. Funkyav
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        yeah very interesting nice one Ron!

    5. Funkyav
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      biggest chelsea rotation risks for dgw 37

      Courtois, Azpi? Luiz, Alonso, Moses, Kante, Costa

      Replacements

      Begovic, Zouma, Terry, Ake, Wilian, Loftus Cheek, Batsuayhi

      1. THE REAL RON ⚽
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        I'd agree with the replacements. The rotation risks are anyone's guess.

        1. Funkyav
          • 17 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          my thinking was that Luiz, Alonso, Moses and Kante have all been carrying knocks, agree with your reasons above for Costa. Azpi just because he has played so much and is so important

      2. Toast
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        I agree. I would add

        Hazard, Kante
        Willian, Fabregas

    6. Clifford☯
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Nice post. Cheers Ron !

    7. A.T
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      If they​ beat Boro then 38 sounds the riskiest one to me

    8. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't say that CahilL is safe. Azpi has been (c) and Ake has impressed Conte enough for him to play him. Problem being he is the same position as Cahill i.e LCB. Willian and Cesc may play more.

      1. THE REAL RON ⚽
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah. It came with a 😉 face.

    9. MTPockets
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Good stuff, thanks.

    10. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks for this, great effort and very informative.

      1. THE REAL RON ⚽
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        🙂

    11. v54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Terry definitely gonna play for his last home match at GW 38

      1. 32chickens
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Brought on at 60 mins

        1. v54
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          no way. subs off at 80 more likely to happen

    12. tokara
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      thx u for this

    13. AA33
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks for this! 🙂

    14. Toast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Great stuff. However he recently rested in the FA cup against Tottenham when they were prioritising the league:

      Hazard for William
      Costa for Batshuayi
      Cahill (inj) for Ake

      Hazard came on to score though! So he has already shown he will rest star players. I would expect at least the same as the above if not more once the league is won. Terry will also start as it will be his final games.

    15. Samurai Blue
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Nice Ron. Thank you!

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

      Looks like Begovic gets a game or two then

      I can also see Alonso rotated out for probably Ake...he might be one I'll ditch...assuming they win this week.

  2. Smarty Pants
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Reach out and touch faith!

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      He's going to violator Palace's defence...

    2. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Bum bada bum ba-da, bum bada bum bada

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      She has a restraining order... no can do 🙁

  3. gorilla
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    palace back four is a total joke. 5-0 this one

  4. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    7,8 or 9-0?

  5. Sims
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Ain't no dugout discussion without sims

  6. Tatty Bojangles
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    No Zaha is annoying, although was only expecting 2pts.

    Is he on the subs bench?

    1. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      he's starting?

    2. gorilla
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      wake up

    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      he is starting !

      1. Tatty Bojangles
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        So he's not on the subs bench then

  7. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    took Yaya out to get Jesus in.
    That can't backfire.....can it?

  8. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Jesus, Zaha and Willy in this. Peno save from Willy please

    1. THE REAL RON ⚽
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      He's got a good record with pens. 🙂

  9. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Is Jesus seriously rising again tonight???

    1. gorilla
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      yes

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Dont think so

    3. Clump
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Second coming.

    4. red devil 7
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      i will ask.

  10. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Jesus Jesus

  11. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Regret getting Costa this week already instead of Alexis

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Will be best move of the season, relax...

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        here's hoping

  12. makaveli123
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    First goalscorer?

    1. THE REAL RON ⚽
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      PVA.

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Cabellaro OG

    3. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling

    4. Fingerspitzengefühl
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Tekkers

    5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus
      ...
      ...
      ...
      Navas
      oh wait is he even starting?
      If not then off the bench!

  13. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Come on City in particular Jesus and Sane

  14. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Come on Jesus!

    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Blasphemy

  15. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    SILVA

  16. Fowler23
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    OMFG silva

  17. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    No assist

  18. Fowler23
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    No assist

  19. gorilla
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    :DDDDDDD

  20. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Breaking down the bus early. Good.

  21. Clump
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Rugby score today?

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Thats the final score line, game over. Pep will park the bus now

  22. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    He's back!

  23. red devil 7
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Silvio (c)

  24. gorilla
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    martin kelly:DDDD

  25. Dyslexia Untied FC
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Floodgates?

  26. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Freaking advantage fam

  27. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Sterliing assist?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

      Kelly

    3. Fowler23
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Martin Kelly

  28. Sims
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Jess to score a brace then palace to score twice. City kepeer to save penalty in injury timewith jess completing his hatty from the rebound Troy Deene style

  29. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Silva for GW 37?

  30. gorilla
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    kelly on fire

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Your defence is terrified