Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Saturday

The relegation battle takes centre stage during Saturday’s afternoon action, with Sunderland, Leicester City, Hull City and Newcastle United all duking it out in their quest to beat the drop. Following the quintet of three o’clock kick-offs, Liverpool bid their Anfield farewells to club luminary Steven Gerrard, with Crystal Palace bidding to ruin the legendary midfielder’s final home appearance.

Having succumbed to relegation last Gameweek, Burnley host a Stoke City outfit that are fresh of a 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Two goals in 10 matches underlines the Clarets’ travails in the final third, yet three clean sheets and just six goals conceded in eight offers hope of a shut-out. Charlie Adam is the form midfielder in the league by virtue of four goals in six starts, while Mame Biram Diouf has netted four goals in 11 appearances and is benefitting from increased pitch time in recent outings. Both sides are unchanged for this one, as Ryan Shawcross shakes off an injury to skipper the Potters.

Queens Park Rangers have nothing but pride left to play for as they welcome Newcastle to Loftus Road. Facing off against an R’s team that’s carded only one victory in 11, the Magpies search for their first win in ten Gameweeks. Newcastle boss John Carver has reasons to be optimistic, though – with Ayoze Perez notching two in three starts and top scorer Papiss Cisse making his return to the squad last weekend, the Tyneside team may yet wriggle free from the threat of relegation. The R’s make two changes as Nedum Onuoha returns from suspension at the back and Junior Hoilett earns a recall: Yun Suk-young and Bobby Zamora drop out. Newcastle make just one change as Daryl Janmaat returns from his ban to replace Vurnon Anita at right-back.

Tottenham invite Hull to White Hart Lane, as the visitors strive to propel themselves out of the bottom three. Spurs are in the midst of a slump, having recorded a single win in six, with two home defeats on the bounce. With just a single goal in his last six, Harry Kane has been subject to significant sales over the last few days, whilst in the Tigers camp, Dame N’Doye endeavours to snap a three-match barren spell in the wake of his brace at Palace in Gameweek 34. Spurs make one change as the banned Vlad Chiriches makes way for fit-again Danny Rose. Visitors Hull recall Nikica Jelavic to a two-man strike force as Sone Aluko drops to the bench; David Meyler comes in for Jake Livermore who has been suspended by the club.

Sunderland are pitted against fellow relegation rivals Leicester at the Stadium of Light in the first of their double Gameweek fixtures. Danny Graham netted his first goal for the Wearside club last time out and continues in the central striker berth. As for their opponents, the Foxes are flying off the back of six wins in seven outings. Riyad Mahrez is the man of the moment – following his brace last weekend – while Leonardo Ulloa is their form striker by way of two goals and one assist in two starts. Dick Advocat is forced to change a winning side with Jordi Gomez and Wes Brown ruled out – Liam Bridcutt and John O’Shea come into the starting XI. Andy King replaces Matt James in midfield for the visitors – James has been ruled out for up to nine months with cruciate knee ligament damage.

West Ham entertain Everton in a mid-table tussle for position. The Hammers are finishing off their campaign with a whimper – having notched a pitiful four goals in their last nine fixtures – but can draw encouragement from two clean sheets in three. For the Toffees, Romelu Lukaku continues to search for his first goal from open play since Gameweek 23. Sam Allardyce welcomes back Winston Reid from injury, while Alex Song and Carlton Cole also earn starts. Reece Burke and Morgan Amalfitano drop to the bench, while Kevin Nolan misses out due to a family bereavement. As for Everton, they surprisingly give a debut to young Brendan Galloway in the absence of ankle injury victim Leighton Baines.

The late kick-off sees Liverpool go head-to-head with Palace at Anfield. Although the Reds’ aspirations of Champions League football dissolved last week, outgoing skipper Steven Gerrard welcomes the Eagles on the back of two goals in as many matches and will be desperate to net in front of the Kop for the final time. With a solitary goal in their previous four league ties, Palace’s toils up top bode well for managers in possession of Liverpool’s backline assets.

2,706 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    No assist.

    1. Royal5
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Kelly

  2. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    1-0 LIVERPOOL! GERRRRAR- Lallana sorry

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Giggity

      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Panti/Schmeichel rotation - unbelieveable!

        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          😉

  3. Declan
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Meh

  4. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Banana

  5. Royal5
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Blow the whistle ref.

  6. A.T
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Phew

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Why did you bench an attacking player vs Newcastle? 🙁

      1. A.T
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I had Albrighton instead. Lol

  7. Mull
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    If all these United 'legends' are so good why aren't they playing now? They just don't have the longevity of a true great like Gerrard.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      😀

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Do you want to go back in the box Tyrion!?

      😉

    3. Mr. Grv
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      LOOOOL scholes came back from retirement and won the league while you still cry

    4. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      They are older than Gerard!

    5. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      17 seasons is just a beggining for Giggs.

    6. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Ashley Young is still playing in fairness

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        haha

      2. money face bandwagon
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        haha he is still young tbf

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          As opposed to what, changing into another player?

    7. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Wheres Poseidon when you need him?

  8. Yolo Toure
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Martin Kelly assist, if only this was 2 years ago.

  9. Belsunz
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Pardew reckons Bolasie is worth 40 M. Pards clearly been hanging out with Jake Livermore too much. What would be your realistic valuation for Bolasie? And will he be at Palace next season in your opinion?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      He also once said Hatem Ben Arfa could be the best player in the world

    2. Mr. Grv
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Still better then mou comment about hazards worth

      1. ralfb
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Rather have one haz than 5 bolasies for 200m

        1. Judas
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          40 x 5 does not = 200m

          1. Judas
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            because hazard is priceless

            1. Camp No No
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              And Bolasie worthless.

    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      £10m player. Useful, but no end product.

    4. Numb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      £7m and yes

    5. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      10 m and yes

    6. Tasty Jerk
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      He is worth what someone will pay and we accept for him, will take allot to sell him, and after bossing the game and being clapped off by the Liverpool fans today fair to say hes added a few mill to what ever that price is 😉

  10. gravless
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Leicester 19 points between August 16th & April 3rd

    Leicester 19 points between Apr 4th & May 16th

    Insane.

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      completely

      what changed?

      1. Royal5
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        They noticed the table.

        1. davies
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Wrong.

          Been performing good all season. Started attacking insanely and got the rub of the green.

          1. The Light Knight
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Wrong.

            1. Old Man
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              No, you're wrong.

              1. Camp No No
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 5 months ago

                Wrong.

      2. The Light Knight
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Pearson beheaded an ostrich in front of squad

        1. davies
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Right.

    2. Belsunz
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Madness indeed but well done Foxes above all.

    3. Reedy
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Their last ten fixtures were tremendous. It is incredible though.

      1. Reedy
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Ordered by fixture difficulty: http://i.imgur.com/tMQipxv.jpg

        1. davies
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Only dropped 4 points from all those games. Incredible.

          1. Reedy
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Aye, fantastic performance

  11. A.T
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Lol

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling has the finishing of a little girl

      1. A.T
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Funny how he got applause for it

      2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Said A.J

  12. HellasLEAF
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Looks like double up on Sunderland paid off. Brought in Pants and PVA.

    But oh my Mane.

    What a haul...

  13. Royal5
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Pool look shaky at back..

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Really need Skrtel's 8 pointer this week!

      1. Royal5
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Migs here..

    2. Mr. Grv
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      need to concede

    3. HellasLEAF
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      think they will concede.

      but score again. 3 - 1 pool for me

  14. Mr. Grv
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Steven gerrad to return as manager ?

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Bit premature lol, he's not even retired from football.

      1. Mr. Grv
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        just saw a article rodgers saying that he will help gerrad to become liverpool boss

  15. The Banter Panther
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Puncheon's having a cracking game!

  16. davies
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Greatest ever escape?

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      For sure

    2. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Shawshank Redemption?

    3. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Gerrard not getting sentenced for hitting that DJ was greater. #legend

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Or Wilshere for not getting caught on cocaine... Yet.

    4. Reedy
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      West Brom's. Yours was good too though 🙂

      1. Reedy
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        04/05 season

      2. davies
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        We've spent more days at the bottom, mind.

        1. Reedy
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Yes you've had to make up more ground. I just remember that as being last day, edge of seat stuff

    5. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Good work Davies

    6. OPTA FPL
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Alcaraz

    7. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      wba

  17. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Come on Sterling and Henderson double!

  18. Piggs Boson
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    A CM that can't defend shouldn't be classified as a 'complete midfielder'

    *grabs popcorn*

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      So Scholes was not a complete midfielder ? . He could not tackle . Thanks for clearing that up G.B

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Okay I'll stop now. We all know Gerrard is one of the Premier League greats, I'm just winding you up 😉

        There are many better than him though.

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          "Okay I'll stop now."

          "There are many better than him though."

          😆

        2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I was only messing aswell 🙂 and I win 😎

      2. Scoredelario
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Even the "grabs popcorn" bit couldn't infiltrate your skull?

      3. The Light Knight
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Scholes was a better tackler than Keane
        Continuously stopped opposition attacks, often injuring opposition and rarely sent off

    2. money face bandwagon
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      agree.

    3. davies
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      But.... He's big and he's fu**ing hard?!

  19. Tommytour
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Sturridge 10m next year?

    Could be gold

    *for a couple of weeks

    1. Punty
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      He's not returning untill September/October..

  20. Royal5
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Kevin De Bruyne has broke the record for assists (21) in a single Bundesliga season. http://t.co/teOYmokXiK

    1. money face bandwagon
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      he is always a decent player

    2. Heels_Over_Head
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      not good enough for chelsea

    3. Wings of Steel
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Very good player. Another one Chelsea nearly ruined

      1. Royal5
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Very good for him that he moved on.

      2. money face bandwagon
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        what did chelsea do? he keeps sending him on loan etc

    4. davies
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Would love to see him at a real team.

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Real Madrid or Real Sociedad?

        1. davies
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Moyseh

    5. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      broken*

      1. Royal5
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Don't blame the messenger 😉

  21. Camp No No
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    What a buggering GW this has been so far.

    1. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Been pretty good I thought

      1. Camp No No
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Exactly because of that. I have Pants, of course, but still annoyed by that Sunderland and Leicester CS.

        Thanks for all the save points, Leicester's buggering mistargetting idiots!

      2. Camp No No
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        There are too much points floating around. I don't like it. Some people will get those points. And as this is a competition where we should get more points than the others, that damages my chances to win.

  22. Heels_Over_Head
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    If a PK is awarded and you're Speroni, how hard do you try to save it today of all days?

    1. Nickofoz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Probably not very hard at all since Speroni isn't on the pitch 😛

    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Speroni won't be trying at all. On the bench

  23. davies
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Koeman or Pearson MOTY?

    1. Robbens Diving Instructor
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Monk

    2. Heels_Over_Head
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Koeman managed a whole season with a team that was supposed to be shambles.

      Pearson kept his team's faith until it turned around at the end. Noble and challenging, but can't see it on the form through March.

    3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Pearson, Koeman if they had fought for CL to the end

    4. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Carver surely

  24. Judas
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    As a Benteke, PVA and Panty owner im pretty happy today.

    oh ye and my rival captained Aguero by accident

  25. OPTA FPL
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Huth is the hero of Lei? They have played well at attacking but shaking at the back, Huth changed that

    1. davies
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Without a doubt one of many - instrumental at the back.

      Really hope Stoke let us buy him.

    1. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Heineken lol, worst beer in the world

    2. Jay_
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Great photo !

      • Heels_Over_Head
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Wes Morgan, take a bow

      • DannyBoy....
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Agreed

    3. Jonny Sutt
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Keep in mind I have Ivan, who would u rather have next game week?

      a) cahill
      b) azpili
      c) kolorov

    4. Tasty Jerk
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      This is a library 😀

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        No it is a fantasy football website . Boom I win 😎

    5. Tasty Jerk
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Come on Punch!

    6. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Have the fans all spelt the name Gerrard on the pitch in their own semen yet?

      What?!

      Too far?