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

    Is it weird that I get more entertainment reading comments on a fantasy football website than watching the actual football?

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

      Says more about the football game.

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

      not today

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

        To be fair I enjoyed the Southampton game. I actually turned off the Liverpool game due to the cringe factor

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

      probably

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

      If there is no football talking, then there is no football watching.

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

    If they beat sunderland is there a danger of Arsenal Players being rested on the last GW?

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

      I don't think they will. Second won't be guaranteed

    2. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Doubtful. Going for second.

  3. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Puncheon Sh!tting all over Gerrard's farewell

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

      haha!

    2. KOKAK
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Gerrard wants another farewell! 😀

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

    Skrtel to score please

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

      yes, please.

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

    Puncheon is an asshat.

  6. The Raging Bull
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    knew i should have played Schlupp over Skrtl. I'm lethal when i don't use my head!

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

    Played Skrtel and Cresswell
    Benched Shlupp

    Arghhhhh!

    1. The Raging Bull
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      i feel your pain brother 🙁

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

    In all seriousness, that is the worst goalkeeper positioning I've ever seen in the PL. He has ONE job...

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      It was poor

    2. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I agree. Ludicrous

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

    Cannt believe people still arguing about Gerrard vs Scholes these days! Gerrard is a talent player but he is nowhere near Scholes level.

    Gerrard vs Lampard should be more interesting

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

      Lamps > Scholes

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        And both better than Gerrard.

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Scholes was the best of those 3. Lamps v Gerrard is close though

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

      It's amazing how much better players get after retiring.

      Same thing happened with Zidane v Iniesta.

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

        Gerrard had better one off matches but scholes had technique like no other. Amazing player.

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

          Both amazing players, and you could make a case for both players being better than the other, but to say he is/was nowhere near Scholes level is ludicrous, whoever you think is better.

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

            So much Knowledge here;

            Ludicrous that this argument still persists . Scholes is long Gone !
            Gerrard is still here and most that have watched this game for some time owe him respect and admiration for what he has given to the game

            Ahhh , kids

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

      Scholes isn't fit to shine Gerrard's boots. Come back to me when Scholes has won a UEFA cup.

    4. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Gerrard > Lampard > Scholes

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        backwards

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

      The Gerrard and Lampard debate is hard because Lampard played mostly with mostly highly payed marquee signings. Gerrard played with rubbish teams at times but he was much better for England.

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

        Also its hard to judge as the team you play for has a massive influence. Scholes arguably played for the best team

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Arguably ??

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

          agree. back then utd was the best team except for that 2 years of mourinho at chelsea

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

      gerrard's tackling ability and temper are nowhere near scholes level

  10. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Man. Was hoping for Moreno to do something. Expecting an unexpected clean sheet from third-on-bench Dawson just to rub it in!

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

      Even as a chelsea fan I think it'll end 0-0! Mourinho will play the young wans but they'll be unable to score

      1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Haha, wouldn't be surprised!

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

    Puncheon is so disrespectful scoring on Gerrard's day.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      More importantly, ruining my Skrtel CS.

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    People advised me to bench one of my chelsea defenders or Mata or Vardy for Skrtel. Still benched Skrtel though. Happy now although he could still outscore them

    1. Give us a smile
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Same here but I listened to them... 🙁

  13. Tiki-Taka
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    My GW38 transfer is likely to be Puncheon, Mahrez or Cleverley #inspired

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

    Gerrard getting another reminder here on how big a mug he was to remain at Anfield all these years.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Damn, you really don't like Gerrard or Liverpool do you? 😛

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

      He'll be remembered more at Liverpool winning bits and bobs, than he would at another club winning everything.

      Le Tissier, Shearer etc.

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

        Agree with that but in the case of Le Tiss, he was scared that another club would not allow him to play his very relaxed game, everyone would demand more workrate which didn't suit his style at all. Southampton was the place for him to thrive weirdly enough.

    3. Salfpilgrimlfc
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Terrible banter from you today

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

    Bolasie is top10 pl attacking player
    Fact

    1. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      What does that even mean?

  16. Jay_
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Considering Welbeck should be fit and Arsenal have the cup final and I don't have Hazard.. how does Ramsey Gerrard Giroud > Puncheon Hazard Costa for -8 sound ?

    • starbows
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Best defender for under 4.4 for last GW?

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

        Maybe Everton's Galloway if FPL add him

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

          or Wasilewski

    • Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Puncheon is so underrated.

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

        Punch lacks enough punches!

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

          Nah mate, he's punchin above his weight

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

            If he did, then all of us would be punching with him!

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

        Yeah, he shits when he wants!

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

        hes just inconsistent

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

          Or irregular?

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

          Inconsistent? wtf

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

          ufpl gold

        4. No Luck
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          u talking about his poo?

    • MDK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      So UFPL midfield of Mane, Chadli, DOwning and Puncheon is doing well.

      May not need Silva, Cazorla or Sanchez

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

        Hope I do better next year, gave up at xmas

    • Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Everyone bought the get your tissues out for Gerrard fiasco.

      Its going to be Frank who leave for the MLS with a bang.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        It is already too much for me. 🙁

    • Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Hope Haz doesn't play

      13pts on the bench

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

        Please, Mourinho, let Haz have his 1 point cameo!!

      2. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Hazard will start and get you two goals two asists and MOTM. Happy now?

        1. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Yup
          That'll do nicely 🙂

    • starbows
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Most nailed on Villa Defender?

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

        What's the interest, really?

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

          Burnley at home

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

            Okay. That is a point. And yet...

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

        🙂

      3. Boyd to Sven
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Vlaar

      4. Tiki-Taka
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Vlaar

      5. KOKAK
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Looking for players that concede most goals in a week!

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

        Don't know if I'd trust them to keep a cleanie.

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

          Answered above BTW

    • EmreCan Hustle
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Downing and Benteke>Mahrez and Cisse *sigh*

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

        why would you take out benteke?!

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Cisse punt 🙁

      2. KOKAK
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Happens all the time. Have faith next time.

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

      Puncheon 3rd best English player FPL stats wise.

      Glad he signed new contract this week 🙂

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

      yess liverpool concede

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

        Green arrow?

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

          ML leader has skertl and migs 😀

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

        dial up?

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

          yup

    • Death
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Gerrard isn't retiring, he's going to MLS

      So why all this nonsence?

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

        It's cringeworthy.

        When Lampard left us, it wasn't half as bad.

      2. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        So basically he's retiring.

    • Would an idiot do that?
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Can't wait til Gerrard misses a pen

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

        Cruel.

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

      Why didn't lampard get so much love?

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

        probably didn't want it

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

        Exactly.

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

        He wasn't as good as Gerrard

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

        Ask Chelsea fans that

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

        That's strange indeed. He was always better than Gerrard.

    • Heels_Over_Head
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Newcastle 1 point of last 30 available
      Leicester 19 points of last 24 availalbe
      Sunderland 11 points of last 18 available

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

        Comparing different periods of matches then? Newcastle has done so badly that you wouldn't really have to revert to a dishonest strategy like that to show how crap they are.

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

          was the halftime stats given on BeIn Sports during interviews

          just citing, not reverting

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

            Okay. BeIn Sports taking journalism to an amazing level then. Good for them.

      2. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Much the same at the end of most seasons. Players realise they'll get kicked to death in the Championship and start to play.

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

          But when do Newcastle players realise that? Or anybody at the club?

          1. In Like Flynn.
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Over night tonight I suspect.

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

          except Newcastle

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

      In a way I admire players who sell out and go to big money clubs to get trophies and kiss a badge. It must take balls to fight your own pride like that.

      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        "Greed"