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. athreya
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I have Alonso, Jones, Gomez, Mahrez, Ogbonna, Speroni, Bernardo Silva. Team is a mess.

    Other than Jones I want all of them out. Should I WC?

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      No WC is way too valuable. Play it right week before a good dgw then BB and get well over 150 maybe 200.
      Sort Mahrez and maybe 1 more for a hit.

      1. athreya
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks. In any case I will wait for next round of FA even if I decide to do an early wildcard. Default option is to do it in GW 32 or 33.

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

        It is not. Losing stupid amount of points now is not worth waiting for "the right" GW!

    3. jia you
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      If your team is in that much of a mess you would be silly to hold onto your wildcard imo. A lot of points to be made before the doubles with the right wc team!

    4. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      These are good players... Alonso has been near essential, Gomez is the first choice right back, Bilva is nailed on for at least another month. Ogbonna is nailed on fodder. Mahrez to Walcott or Mkhi and you are up and running

    5. Bragazeti
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A good score is only one gameweek away. Half of them were supposedly ill, Silva and Ogbonna are starters and maybe Mahrez will turn up for training, so don't see the reason to WC.

  2. jia you
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Stones, Yoshida, Mahrez and Alonso on wildcard two gameweeks ago has caused immense havoc in my team 🙁

    1. athreya
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Tough luck really. Of that lot only Yoshida was questionable.

      1. jia you
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        A bit unlucky alright, though Yoshida would get his starting place back but looking unlikely now, cheers.

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

    I've had Lanzini (injured), Arno (injured), Mahrez (dropped), Sako (injured), Speroni (injured), Alonso (injured), Bardsley (injured), Kenny (dropped) and Depoitre (injured) all injured or not playing over the last couple of weeks. Haven't had any zeros yet but damn, I really need a change of luck......

    1. Eze Really?
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Gomez Jones Alonso all zero Mee to replace 1 point

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

        Wow that's rough. Just an unlucky period, hopefully it will turn around soon.

      2. jia you
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Alonso, Stones, Yoshida here and couldnt even get Colins two points from the bench!

        1. Eze Really?
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Ouch

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

      I know that feeling. My rank has plummeted after my squad got hit by a storm of absences for various reasons (Jones, Alonso, Mahrez, Sane, Arnie, Eriksen)

    3. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      WC time...

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

        Would rather hold that WC for the DGW's, but it's getting tougher and tougher by the second.....

    4. Kellz86
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kenny wasn't dropped mate he took a 0 because of 5 goals conceded but out man, still.

      1. Kellz86
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        ouch*

  4. Sz21
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Carnage over the past 3 GW's- Rank from a consistent 4k-> 20k.
    Save or make a move somewhere?

    Pickford.
    Jones, Otamendi, Kenny.
    Sterling, Salah, Pogba, Wally.
    Kane, Firmino, Wilson.
    Speroni, Rich, Mee, Ogbonna,

    1ft, 1.0m in bank.

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Save

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

      Save then do 3 transfers after the FA cup is done. With info on blanks.

    3. athreya
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Play Mee over Kenny.

  5. HurriKane
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Who do you reckon scores more over next 5?

    A) Hazard- WBA mu mci CPL bur

    B) Walcott- CPL wat bur BHA sto

    1. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Walcott

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

      I think A, although not much between them with both teams in dire form

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

      I am enough with Chelsea player after next week. Should be B

  6. Henryyy
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Would you do Lingard to Walcott for free?

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      No (New next)

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

      Everton's form is abysmal right now

      1. HurriKane
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        yet theo has got returns in 2 out of his 3 starts. couldve easily got returns against arsenal too.

        given everton fixtures he's a great pick imo for 7.2m. wouldnt mind everton being in dire form if they are scoring goals

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

          True point. I expect Big Sam to have Everton play even more negatively, but route 1 football might actually work in Walcott's favor

    3. Eze Really?
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      7.2 expensive for use in home games only.
      I would not back my mom in the Everton team atm.

    4. Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      How about Lingard to Deulofeu?

    5. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yes.. Walcott looked the best out of everton easy, and is only new. Arsenal had a good game, players playing for their spots. Should of had a goal and assist this game.. Great fixtures and nailed

    6. Another Hoops
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Walcott is about to become template so why not. Lingard does have a nice fixture but if you can't guarantee him to play why have him if he's not an enabler.

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

    Hazard out next week to fund Aubameyang or swap to Mkhi is enough?

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      After City

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

        why? I think Arsenal may win against City and Chelsea against MU at Old trafford looks very rough.

        Mkhi or Auba?

        1. Ghost Gooner
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Arsenal have capitulated so many times against top 6 teams I just don't trust them

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

          I think both will be great options, but will personally probably go for Mkhi do to the cheaper price tag and maybe double up with Ramsey, and go for Vardy up top instead

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

      keep his for westbrom game atleast

  8. Bring back ole
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Iv 1 free transfer what the feck do i do with this mess???

    Pickford
    Alonso, vvd, jones
    de bruyne, erikson, kennedy, mane
    Aubameyang, ayew, lukaku

    Bench, elliot, martina, francis, cork

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

      Save and do lukaku, mane, kdb to kane, salah, sterling next week? or lukaku, mane to vardy, salah

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

      I wouldn't double up on spurs. I wouldn't have Erikson. Got returns but playing deeper than usual, not on all frees and corners with Davies taking some off him. Kane on frees too. Erikson to salah, keep Mame for the blanks upcoming, you could also do mane to someone and lukaku to Kane

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

    Why is everyone so worried about a precautionary rest of Alonso?

    He would have gotten 0 points even if he played

    1. Another Hoops
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      If we're playing this game I actually think Alonso would have gotten 3 goals, 2 assists and been sent off twice if he'd played.

  10. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Bench one in gw27: Mee, Duffy, Ota, Azpi

    Seems reasonably easy to choose, but likely no CS for Ota and possible rotation(?). Duffy has Stoke next. And Chelsea, well... still has West Brom at the Bridge, though.

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

      I would bench Duffy

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

      duffy brighton cant keep a cleanie atm

  11. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    G2G, 2.4 ITB, 0FT. Rage transfer done.

    Pickford
    Alonso Otamendi Mee
    Salah Sterling Son Ramsey
    Kane Firmino Wilson

    Foster Ogbonna Carroll Simpson

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Nice time especially in a week or 2.
      What was the transfer
      At least you did not rage Alonso out that would have been bad.

  12. Bad Stoob
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Stick or twist:

    De Gea Elliot
    Mee Otamendi Mawson Hegazi Ogbonna
    Walcott Sterling De Bryne Deulofeu Salah
    Kane Wilson Ayew

    Bench headache?

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I think it's very good. Would stick.
      There has been chaos recently having a decent bench ain't a bad thing.

  13. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this plan please

    Now for 27 Use FT for
    Otamendi to Smalling
    Funds 29 moves
    28 hold FT
    29 KDB and Wilson
    To
    Aubameyang and Ramsey
    31 will be FH

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ota has wes brom though

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah and he will probably burn me with a CS and goal if I lose him
        But fed up missing utd CS points every week.
        If I wait another week utd fixtures start to turn .....

        1. Another Hoops
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Does it really hurt you though if City concede if everyone else has a City defender?

          You said yourself United fixtures turn, so you're going to waste a transfer for just one game and hope Newcastle don't score?

          I would save and maybe look at a Spurs asset next week when their fixtures turn for the better.

  14. jia you
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Salah is showing no signs of regression so Ive swallowed my pride on leaving him out of my wildcard team two gws ago!
    Pogba and Stones out to fund Salah and 4.2 def had to be done, right?
    I went for Charlie Taylor, been impressed with him, in the hope that Ward stays out for a bit longer!

    Fabianski
    Alonso / Valencia / Maguire
    KDB / Hazard / Sanchez / Salah / LegoMane
    Wilson / Ayew
    (KN, Charlie, Yoshi, Colin)

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Huge gamble. I went for the huge mid 5 last year and OR kept sliding.
      Still value in mids they don't all have to be expensive.

      Outfield 3 on bench may all not play very soon.

      1. jia you
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Huge gamble I know but stagnating at 800k and hoping my power mids will work wonders. I though Yoshida would get his starting berth back but worried now, Colin still remains good values bench fodder.

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Ok punt with that OR is all good.

  15. HurriKane
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Im in a h2h mini league which started 9 gws ago consisting of 12 players

    Guess what i have scored most points out of all 12 players in that 9 gw period yet im second from bottom in the h2h league

    what kind of sorcery is this 😉

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      🙂
      H2h can be weird but that is messed up

      1. HurriKane
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        exactly. 3 points above me there are around 5 players tied in same position

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

      *highest total score of all 12 players

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      This pretty much sums up why H2H is such weird concept.

  16. Holmes
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone playing WC next week?

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

      I can't believe how I was extremely happy with my team before this GW and now I am changing my mind that whether I need to use a WC now or wait lol

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

      I have to deal with Otamendi, Kenny, Niasse, Lingard, KDB, have to get in BGW players, no Firmino, no Aguero..But still sticking with it till GW33.

  17. AnderEstimatedHerrera
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Morning DZ,
    I reckon there is no threat with Alonso or Jones, they will both start.
    But not sure about KDB after those gametime comments. Do you think it is safer to ditch him?

  18. Hotdogs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best 4.4/4.5 defender for the next few games?

    A) Martina - Everton (CRY, wat, bur, BRI, sto, MCI)
    B) Fernandez - Swansea (BUR, bri, WHM, hud, SOU)
    C) Kongolo/Zanka - Huddersfield (BOU, wba, tot, SWA, CRY)
    D) Other

    1. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Fernandez imo

    2. Schwarzer
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

    Tricky who to captain with CL, maybe salah is more secured than sterling because of rotation.
    Kane should score but you can never know in such games

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Salah rest seems unlikely as Liverpool have no match on the weekend after UCL first leg.

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Oops misread that.

  20. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Didn’t see the game, but:

    Is Deulofeu the new Richarlison?

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

      He was very active yesterday but I think he also lost ball quite easily a couple of times. With that price could be good shout.

      1. thomashl
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers!

  21. ToonFly
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Simple one here.....

    Best defender for 4.5m or less for next 5 or so. Needs to be nailed, with CS and/or Goal/Assist potential a bonus. Would appreciate suggestions.

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

      Fernandez (SWA)
      Cuco Martina (EVE)

      Not loads of options in that price - but I am looking for these 2 for the next 5. I only have 4.4 to spend though.

      1. Kellz86
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Any idea how close Baines is to a return? I need to shift Kenny now that he will vie with Coleman again.

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

          Baines long term. I need to shift Kenny too. The above options for me.

    2. ToonFly
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Dunk, Bardsley, Naughton?

  22. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Morning DZ

    In your honest opinion how can I sort out of my Midfield without WCing (max 8pt hit)

    Zaha AOC Hazard Choupo-Moting B Silva

    Any ideas would be welcomed

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

      Hazard to Salah would be a start or changing 3 (Silva, Ox and Zaha) for Salah and what you can afford.

    2. Batchain
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Probably not. But I'd go Hazard, Silva to Sterling, Salah to start with, then think about AoC to someone like Ibe or Delefou.

  23. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Bit behind the 8 ball here peeps but why did Willian get subbed off early?

    Hamstring again?

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

      Wasn't 100% and Fabregas was needed to cover Bakayoko.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers Torres 🙂

  24. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Wow that Hazard(c) goal took me from a horrible red arrow to a tiny green arrow

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

      Such a gameweek saver. You keeping and captaining again?

  25. BAMBAA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Was Kabasele out for injury or just taken out?

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

      hamstring injury

  26. doncastro
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Liverpool fans - when are you expecting Moreno to next figure?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      He came back against WBA in the cup and not seen since then...as a Robertson owner I've been told Moreno is first choice but who knows.

      1. doncastro
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        thanks Fred. I'd be worried every week if I was a Robertson owner but at the same token Moreno still isn't playing! Great pool fixtures coming up and I need a 4.6 or under defender!

  27. Schwarzer
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    What would you do?

    Otamendi (LEI) >
    A) Bauer (BHA)
    B) Naughton (BUR)
    C) Save

    Cheers

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      C)

      ship out Otamendi after LEI

  28. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    9 players blank

    Salah (c) and Hazard

    Buying a lottery ticket immediately

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

      2/11 is pretty poor- why would you buy a lottery ticket?

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Your mindset is too good. I’m a poor man. I find little things like this and console myself

  29. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    2 FT transfers so thinking of doing

    Ogbonna > Fernandez

    Not sure if I will use the other or save yet but Willian or Lingard could go to Wally....

    Thoughts?

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

      Just the first move, wait on the other but pull the trigger if either look like not playing.

  30. noquarternt
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Son -> any midfielder except Sanchez.

    Who would you pick?

    Already have Hazard, Salah, Sterling and (McArthur).

    1. Another Hoops
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Walcott has decent upcoming fixtures but it's Everton.

      Son's fixtures are about to turn. Obviously rotation is a concern but if you've held him through the last 2 games I'd probably keep for now.