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. starbows
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Benteke or Vardy for next week?

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

      which would you captain?

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

        Benteke

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

          me too

  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Radio 5 commentator

    "Gerrard isn't just a great footballer, he is a great human being".

    *Remembers the time Gerrard was involved in a street brawl punched an innocent man*

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      1 incident ages ago makes someone a bad human being

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

        Not necessarily, but it is an argument against him being a _great_ human being.

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

      He was not guilty

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

      the DJ didn't have Barbie Girl...

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

        That's the real crime here. Let's be honest.

    4. RÏɠBY
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      it's obvious beckham is the best mid EVA!
      he proved it with all the money he won

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

      Sad Bemba , sad

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

      Kick his head in.

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

      The DJ tried to put a bottle of Newcastle Brown up his backside.(Allegedly)

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

        but it kept falling out...

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

        I somewhat doubt this.

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

      Not a huge fan of Gerrard, but we've all made silly mistakes in life. Picking out a persons one blip is a bit harsh IMO.

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

      he punched Billy Joel?

      😯

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

    It doesn't matter that he hasn't won a Premier League trophy. The biggest trophy he's won is a place in the hearts of the Anfield faithful.

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

      I hope it is a big trophy because I need to throw up in it

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Knowledge was the real treasure the whole time

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

      A true legend who loves his club. A rarity

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

    He's probably coming back on loan to Liverpool anyways.

    Tsk Tsk. Let's do another guard of honour in the second half?

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

      Carry him off like the final scene in Gladiator.

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

      He'll go on loan to City 😉

  5. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    What are you guys doing with Benteke next week?

    Already have Kun and Lukaku.

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

      Having a pint with him

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

        Lol. Someone with as weird a sense of humour as me 😳

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

          We're going for a kebab afterwards, you're welcome to tag along

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

      Captain

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

      We'll probably just go for a nandos and a beer.

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

        he's belguique.. all snails and frits

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

      obviously keeping

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

    give him credit, through years of abuse, thick and thin, offer after offer, he has stuck with that hairstyle

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

      and his wheels were nicked

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

    If someone missed the crazy atmosphere at WHL today:

    http://gfycat.com/ActualHiddenCopepod#

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

      🙂

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

      Anyone else spend ages trying to find the copepod?

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

      Harry Potter picking his nose in the background..

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

      Haha. First time I just saw the sleeping guy. Second time the nose picker. Such layers.

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

      😆

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

    I am hoping arsenal vs united is a great game . Really want the arsenal vs united rivalry to return things are very calm between the clubs

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

      red card for Giroud would be lovely

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

        4-3 united would be great with sanchez hattrick

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

      probably because both are not fighting for the title

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

        true

    3. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Well, they are competing at the same level again now...just this time it's for 3rd/4th, not 1st/2nd.

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

    Damn it Hendo...

  10. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Clear pen

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

    Don't think Emre Can knows he's shite
    Furious at Ibe for not passing to him

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

    Play henderson or King next week?

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

    Another week another dufus ref, clean pen

  14. SW6
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Not a penalty imo.

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

    So seeing as we'll probably get 5th choice on any top signings , who should Liverpool go for next season?

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

      Austin lol

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

        😕

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

      gerrard

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

      Danny Ings might come.

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

        No offense to Ings, but a club like Liverpool should be looking at better players.

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

          wrong way around..

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

          Agreed. Ings is pish.

    4. Billy Gilmore
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Tekkers

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

        Please no.

    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Barton

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

      dzeko?

      1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Wow, that would have been great. 15 mill?

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

          might be abit more than that! welbeck costs around that price

    7. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Origi.

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

        He'll come back off loan.

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

      Sturridge

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

        ooo he could be good

      2. Billy Gilmore
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Who?

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

      Andy Carroll

  16. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    this gw is turning into a disaster

    skrtel header could save it

  17. Breadbin
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    It was/wasn't a penalty based on my team allegiances.

  18. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Don't have any transfers left in a different version.

    U reckon given will be dropped after today as need guzan's return

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

    All these poor goal attempts from Palace. At least make my keeper save some of them.

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

      They did that at the end of the first half - he didn't bother saving it.

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

        🙁

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

    Play Hendo OR King next week??

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

      Fancy Hendo at Stoke or carnival atmosphere at KP?

  21. Breadbin
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Come on Mignolet, get sent off!

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

      That's enough of that!

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

        I actually hope the game is abandoned with Sterling, Henderson, Mignolet, Gerrard and Countiho all being sent off.

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

          Oh, in that case, fair enough.

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Henderson fail

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

      My two failing Pool players in two posts.

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

    Zaha scores with his first touch!

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

      Bolasie assist I think?

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

    Zaha!! YES

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

    Pardew genius.

  26. Breadbin
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Bench: Mignolet and Moreno 🙂

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

      Sold: Skrtel

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

        Sold: Sterling.

  27. tm245
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Zaha

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

    LOOOOOOL

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

    Now I'm bereft

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

    Mignolet. FFS