Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Watford vs Chelsea

Gameweek 26 draws to a conclusion this evening as Watford welcome Chelsea to Vicarage Road.

Although the Hornets boast the league’s worst home defensive record, conceding 25 times in front of their own fans, the arrival of new manager Javi Gracia has hinted at an improvement at the back.

Watford have conceded just one goal in their subsequent two matches across all competitions, though on the downside, they have yet to find the net since the Spaniard was appointed.

But their previous lack of resilience bodes well for the visitors’ Eden Hazard tonight.

The Belgian has served up double-digits in each of his last two road trips, producing a total of three goals and 26 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points over visits to Arsenal and Brighton.

Indeed, with four of his five double-figure tallies delivered on the road, Hazard is the ninth top captaincy pick for Gameweek 26, handed the armband by 2.1% of FPL managers and nine of the top 100.

Hazard is joined in a front three by the fit-again Willian, who has collected three lots of 10+ points returns in his last five league starts.

Elsewhere for Antonio Conte’s side, new arrival Olivier Giroud could get the opportunity to play his way into contention among the mid-price frontman.

Costing 8.2 in FPL, the Frenchman is named on the bench in the continued absence of Alvaro Morata.

But the big team news involves Marcos Alonso, who misses his first game of the season for the Blues as a “precautionary” measure. His absence is a major blow, with the top scoring defender owned by over 1.5 million managers.

Victor Moses looks set to play on the left tonight, with Davide Zappacosta on the right and new signing Emerson named on the bench.

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

3,583 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Big Fella
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I had so many good captain options this week and it was Salah, yet again, that was the right one. Not captaining anybody else this season. #permacaptain

  2. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    or updated

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Overall rank updated

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Tiny liddle greeny arrow for me 🙂

  4. NestorC
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Just saw the score, what happened there in last 5 minutes?

  5. Don Kloppeone
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Can’t believe it. Alonso not playing silver lining was Mili 1st sub with 10 points .... until I realised I had played 3-4-3 and so wasn’t allowed those sweet, sweet points. Had to settle for Oggy with 1pt.

    I should be happy with 63 but it should’ve been 72!!

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I should've got 195 but I'll settle for 61

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Should've been, how?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        In a fantasy world where 2-5-3 is an acceptable formation of course

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Most of us would play 253 though.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Not sure about that. The first half of the season the mid-premium defenders were more predictable and valuable than similarly-priced mids for the most part. Gross is an exception, but risking 253 probably would have resulted in fewer average points in midfield and missed points at the back.

            I would love to see FPL with no position restrictions

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 15 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              I mean this week. I know I would have.

  6. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    What to do with this lot?

    Got 2 FT and 1,5m in bank

    Pope
    Mee Alonso Otamendi (Dunk Mariappa)
    Sterling Salah Shaqiri Lingard Son
    (Depoitre) Kane Firmino.

    I am leading by 40 points in my mini league so I can allow myself to be passive.

    Currently thinking:

    A. Lingard to Walcott
    Or
    B. Dunk to Smalling

    Thoughts?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      40 points is no reason to be too passive 🙂

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      B Lingard scored away against Newcastle last season and no reason he won't start again at CAM

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A - fixtures turning, CL, done nothing for 4 weeks and subbed increasingly early barely getting 60 minutes

  7. Alan The Llama
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Small green, could've been much worse.

  8. Drum8888
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Is it madness to sell Alonso in order to afford Firmino?

    1. Alan The Llama
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      If Conte stays, certainly not madness.

  9. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    261k to 342k this GW, love this season......

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Should've WCed 😛

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for that, very supportive.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Any time 🙂

  10. liiusions
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Halfed my rank this week thanks to Mhki Shaq and Hazard as big differentials 🙂

    1. liiusions
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Halved*... I'm tired

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Nice one

  11. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    In top 2k for the first time ever, just hope I can keep up the momentum 🙂

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Well done 🙂

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks TM

        1. Saka White Rice
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          wow congratulations! do you think I should keep Lingard or sub him out for Walcott because hes dropping down in price tonight?

    2. Mysterion
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Not bad for a limited and mediocre manager

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        😀

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      What's your total points for 2k? I'm lurking at P15k. Not sure I want to know how far behind I am though!

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        1601 points - 1365 OR

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          1546 pts, 15,724 OR. So there's hope for me yet.

        2. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          And all chips intact.

          1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah, saving chips will be huge for the run in, when you consider how much more potential FH has over AOA as well.

            1. Paul Psychic Octopus
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              The only problem would be if a key DGW came soon or straight after the major blank. Am saving FH for the blank, then need to get WC in the week ahead of the DGW so can play BB or TC in the DGW itself.

              (that enough acronyms?!)

  12. Messsiaah
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    is Francis a good option as 5th defender?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Him or Dummett

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Both?

        1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Also an option if you really want funds elsewhere.

    2. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

  13. The Mandalorian
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Firmino looks set to be banned this week, looks like a few around here are panicking. Lip readers caught him using racist language 🙂

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Meh

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Hahaha trying so hard because literally no one is panicking.

    3. The Mandalorian
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A lip reader ­employed by the ­Sunday Mirror has studied video footage of the game and says that ­21-year-old ­Holgate twice claimed Firmino had used the “N-word”.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Jan 6 is a long time ago.

        1. The Mandalorian
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          The case remains open, enough said.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            As good as closed. Ref was there and didn't hear anything of the sort.
            Papers want clicks.

            1. Paul Psychic Octopus
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              If Firminogate was the other way around, I wonder if the lip readers can lip read Scouse? (not sure Holgate's a scouser though)

      2. Drum8888
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        "A lip reader ­employed by the ­Sunday Mirror"

        Doesn't get more official than that, everyone start selling!

      3. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Lip-reader isn't a profession. You're reading the articles written for gullible people. Without reading the article, I presumer the lip-reader is some kind of Linguist, otherwise a charlatan.

        Not saying it won't happen, but why the big push? Mirror is trying to sell papers and get clicks without breaking the law (hence the 'lip-reader').

      4. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Tbf Holgate looks like he comes from a family who eat Nougat

        1. The Mandalorian
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          'Lip-reader isn't a profession' Suarez seems to think otherwise.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Luiz Suarez can put whatever he likes on the Census. Doesn't have to be a real profession 😆

  14. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Cheers everyone for replying to my rank predictor tool post, I got all the ranks within ~100 places. Hoped it would be even more accurate, but will study this data and see what I can improve! See you next week

  15. CloudSky
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Out of 10k for the first time in 11 weeks. Only way is up!

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Plenty have gone the other way.

      1. CloudSky
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Goes without saying.

      2. Andy_Social
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Yeh, I've dropped a few places but still in the top 5K. However, I'm starting to panic about my Chelsea defence of Alonzpilicueta.

        1. CloudSky
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          WBA next then reassess.

        2. Saka White Rice
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          would you sub out lingard if you had 2FT now since hes dropping in price?

    2. Dino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Based on your history I'd say the opposite is true

      1. CloudSky
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Law of averages.

  16. jose1
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best Mahrez replacement?

    I have Sterling Lingard Salah Shaq

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Wally, Deu for now

    2. yakirh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Walcott

    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    1FT 2,0m itb

    Adrian Speroni
    Alonso Jones Otamendi Dummett Dunk
    Mane Salah Lingard Sterling Milivojevic
    Lukaku Vardy Quaner

    Lingard > Walcott a no-brainer, assuming Alonso is fit for WBA? Cheers

  17. Fitzy.
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Nice consistent scores from my team this week... 😯

    1,1,2,2,2,2,2,2,3,3,15

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      You missed a comma

      1. Dino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        My team was in a coma with lossl saving a pen off my captain for the second time this season.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Fun fact:

          Lossl = Danish for LMAO

          1. Dino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I actually believe that, why does this game cause so much pain? and why do we keep playing it?

  18. Saka White Rice
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    shall i wait to transfer lingard out incase there are any injuries announced during the week or take him out now for walcott?

    1. CloudSky
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Wait if you can. Playing Newcastle though.

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Your Username is hilariously bad 😆 thanks

  19. CloudSky
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Expecting big things from Daniels and Wilson this week. Will probably have to settle for 4 points between them.

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      im benching wilson this week

      1. CloudSky
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Against Hudd? Expensive sub for what is a prime fixture. Who do you have playing instead?

        1. Norman Conquest
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          3 defenders
          pogba sterling salah hazard walcott
          vardy kun

          did think maybe playing wilson over vardy for a second but dont like that 1 bit

          1. CloudSky
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Hmm, tough choice. Vardy normally scores against top 6.

            1. Norman Conquest
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              yea even though he is playing city i think vardy's chances of scoring are better than wilsons next gw

  20. jose1
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Should aguero owners be fretting of rotation this week?

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe not this week but certainly the one after

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Why after?

  21. Saka White Rice
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    chances of lingard playing vs newcastle? sub him out tonight for walcott?

  22. Mysterion
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone have 3 straight green arrows? Or a big rank boost in the last few weeks?

    Curious to know which players worked out for you...

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      not had 3 green since gw 6 lol

      1. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        😀

    2. Ahtikullervo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I do

      Fab (3,9)
      Bauer Hegazi Robertson (Kelly Taylor)

      De Bruyne Salah Sanchez Milivojevic Kenedy

      Agüero (c) Kane (Ulloa)

      1. Ahtikullervo
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        OR 2568

        1. Mysterion
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Nice, love that midfield and lots of captain choices! Did you WC recently?

    3. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yep me. 1.2m to 900K.
      Salah captain last 2 GWs, Mkhi 13pts this wk, also Fabianski, Sterling, Aguero hatty have all helped 🙂

  23. wulfrunian
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best Pogba replacement except Walcott up to 10?
    Salah,Sterling,Atsu,Shaqiri are my other players.

  24. Rik Waller
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Probably would have a higher OR if none of my players got returns this week.

  25. Saka White Rice
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    pleeeease help ...chances of lingard playing vs newcastle? sub him out tonight for walcott?

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Don't see why he shouldn't start, but he seems to be getting subbed off around 60 mins

  26. Saka White Rice
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    sorry to be annoying but...chances of lingard playing vs newcastle? sub him out tonight for walcott?

    1. wulfrunian
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      No one knows.

  27. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one this gw

    A. Lingard
    B. Vardy
    C. Shaqiri
    D. Alli

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'd bench Alli permanently

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Would you dump him out for Walcott for free?

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Definitely. I did it last week. Didn't gain me much other than avoiding the Allicat's yellow card.

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks bud

            1. Paul Psychic Octopus
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Everton looked rank in their last game but Wally is a goalscorer and I can't see Palace keeping a clean sheet away.

    2. wulfrunian
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      d

    3. Ahtikullervo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A or D

    4. Norman Conquest
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      d

    5. Rik Waller
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Bench Lingard. Unlikely to play 90 and chance he doesn't even start

    6. yakirh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      B

    7. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Probably A

    8. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A otherwise B I think

  28. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Long list of contenders, but who which one would you?

    A) Alonso (WBA)
    B) Azpilicueta (WBA)
    C) Otamendi (LEI)
    D) Coleman (CRY)
    E) Shaqiri (BHA)
    F) Vardy (mci)
    G) Wilson (hud)

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      BENCH?

    2. yakirh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      F

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Conte may make the decision for you. Otherwise F.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers all

    4. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      D of those.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I can give more options if you'd like? Haha

        H) Eriksen (ARS)
        I) Sterling (LEI)
        J) Salah (sou)
        K) Firmino (sou)

        And now I've run out

        1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah if it was me I'd bench D. I can't see EVE keeping a CS...

  29. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Does anyone know the site to see your captaincy stats? Remember going on one but can't remember the name of it.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      gargatron.com

    2. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
        6 years, 8 months ago

        anewpla

      • Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers both!