[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
20 January 2014 1385 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

We’ve one match remaining of the Gameweek, as Pepe Mel takes charge of West Brom for the first time this evening. The new Baggies boss doesn’t have it easy, though – visitors Everton have been beaten just once on the road in 10 matches, less than any other side in the top-flight, and will be looking for their tenth clean sheet of the season at the Hawthorns:

Certainly, from the home side, Fantasy attention is somewhat limited – Nicolas Anelka is West Brom’s most popular FPL player, with 2.7% ownership. The Toffees, however, are heavily backed – Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines owners will be looking for points at both ends of the pitch, whilst Romelu Lukaku will be looking to get one over his former side and score on the road for the first time since Gameweek 9.

The team sheets are in and the home side make four alterations from the XI that were beaten at Southampton last time around. Gareth McAuley is out with a hamstring problem and is replaced by Diego Lugano at centre-half, whilst further up the field, Claudio Yacob, Zoltan Gera and Matej Vydra come in for Youssouf Mulumbu, Morgan Amalfitano and the now-departed Shane Long.

Roberto Martinez makes a couple of alterations for the Toffees. Sylvain Distin has recovered from a hamstring injury and returns to the back-four at the expense of John Stones, whilst Bryan Oviedo is selected ahead of Steven Pienaar on the left of the front three. New signing Aiden McGeady earns a place on the bench as Everton look for the win that would take them into fourth spot.

As always, we have opened up the Dugout Discussion chatroom until this evening’s final whistle.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. Cheers Kane, Sons Crying
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for the repost, but want to post in a busier time to a larger audience.

    Imagine this..

    You are worse off than you are, you have my rankings. 427k Overall, and 100+ points down in at least 2 of your MLs, poor I know.

    Would you even be as crazy to consider dropping Suarez? I haven't captained him for many weeks, as I feel he is ruining fantasy football. I miss the days where you actually had to check who your opponents were captaining, now I could tell you who all of my ML rivals will captain in GW32, without even checking their team or fixtures.

    I've done well since I stopped captaining Suarez, Wally got me a lovely run of points, and Silva managed to bag me the same as Suarez, despite me hiding behind the sofa for the majority of the game.

    So with my refusal of making Suarez my captain, shall I just drop him? Many players are hitting form, and are looking favourable.

    Eto'o, now looking like Chelsea's No.1 striker, worth a punt? Chelsea strikers have score 5 goals together in the last 3 games, Torres 2 and Eto'o 3.

    Bony is looking strong, with very favourable fixtures, next up a leaky Fulham team at home, wham, CAR, sto to follow that, next 4 matches against teams all in the bottom 8, again, worth a punt?

    Sturridge now scored 2 in 2 with an assist, with his first game back a mere cameo appearance for 20 minutes. Sturridge can arguably limit any damage that may occur from dropping Suarez, as he is likely to grab an assist, or hopefully even score off any Suarez assist.

    Aguero, can now be the bigger hitter upfront, with an immediate return last game, he looks as sharp and explosive as ever, and maybe the 2nd half of the season will belong to Aguero and not Suarez.

    Dropping Suarez, I'm sure, will be widely regarded as 'stupid' or 'suicidal'. However, why can't it be viewed as an 'inspired' or a 'flair' decision. After all this is a game, and it is about having fun. I do agree, however, that winning can inspire much fun, but wouldn't you love to win without Suarez? Imagine the bragging rights. I discussed this briefly on an earlier post, but have had longer to think about it today. This morning it was just a crazy idea I had dreamt up, but now it is became a more feasible plan of action. Great differential. And for anyone out there that is reluctant to captain Suarez, much like myself, possibly a plan of necessity, as we know for sure, the Suarez captain bandwagon will run for a long time yet.

    So if anyone here, including myself, decides that the have the guts to do the deed of dropping the un-dropable man, maybe we will benefit. If you can choose a good captain each week, that scores close to Suarez, and blank he may produce will be like gold dust to anyone chasing points.

    Here ends the reading.

    (Again, sorry to anyone who read this earlier, just looking to see what more people think 🙂 )

    Open Controls
    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Not Suarez. There are points elsewhere.

      Open Controls
    2. Sif
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Stopped reading at 'dropping Suarez'.
      Keep him and find differentials elsewhere.

      Open Controls
    3. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      i like your style 🙂 picking kun over suarez worked for me thos week and eto hazard look good for next.. really when chasing box points it ,makes sense to drop an obvious even if IT IS SUICIDAL 😉 nice post btw

      Open Controls
      1. Cheers Kane, Sons Crying
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for the comment 🙂

        I want to see what other people think! I'm fed up of having him in my team, and just hoping he doesn't do well, because everyone else has captained him but me!

        So by my logic, the only option is to take him out, as whats the point in keeping him if I don't want him to do well?

        Open Controls
    4. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Interesting take. But I think what matters is how competitive your ML is and how much you care about Overall ranking...to me, these goals can be incompatible at times.

      In mini leagues, you're really dealing with a microcosm of FPL, where transfers within it occur in a kind of vacuum and their impact is more direct on your standing. Whereas, those that are shooting for Overall supremacy (and mini-leagues take a back seat), losing someone like Suarez is basically suicidal. But with winning a mini-league as the focus, say you get Studge or another F and your whole ML has Suarez and his output starts to slow, then you can make up places in the standings more quickly than you would in Overall imo.

      As to your opinion on Suarez 'ruining' the game I think I know what you mean in that it's just too easy to pick and C him without thinking, but it's also a product of this kind of setup in Barclay's...he dreaded template possibility. Which is why I wish they offered and supported a draft style league where no one can have the same player and player trades can be made between teams. MUCH more interesting than this format (and one that every major N. American fantasy sport follows too, remember WE invented fantasy sports!).

      Open Controls
      1. Cheers Kane, Sons Crying
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Nice, thanks for the reply!

        Im not sure what I should do, I dont want to miss out on his points, but its boring with everyone keep captaining him, I'm thinking without him, I can upgrade elsewhere and make up on the points missed across my whole team, and then any Suarez blank is a massive bonus!

        Open Controls
    5. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      You have to have the better players (that everyone else has) AND differentials. To replace the best players with differentials lacks patience and game craft. A differential doesn't have to be a single player, either, it could be tripling up on a particular team for a few weeks when their fixtures are strong. i.e. keep Suarez but replace Luka with Studge and Ozil with Gerrard. Then later, maybe, when Arsenal fixtures are better, switch Gerrard for Ramsey and Studge for Giroud. All strong players but the differential is in the mix.

      Open Controls
  2. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    I hope Coleman is the only defender that gets a clean sheet tonight.

    Open Controls
    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      +1

      61st minute sub

      Open Controls
    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      You can have the cs, I'll take the Baines goal 😉

      Open Controls
  3. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Which combo?

    A. Coleman, Olsson and Yaya

    or

    B. Baines, Ryan Bennett and Silva

    Open Controls
    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        As expected.

        It's annoying when Baines is only 1m more for me instead of Coleman.

        Open Controls
      2. Schürrle Class
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Coleman over Baines all day every day. I am Irish so it is probably only a bit bias 😆

        Open Controls
  4. ElementWire
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Mirallas is the anti Ozil in terms of shooting when he should pass. He is the most frustrating part of owning Lukaku.

    Open Controls
    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Couldn't agree more. He's Lukaku's kryptonite.

      Open Controls
  5. Theseus
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    classic everton...
    lukaku with acres of space shouting at a teamate to just send him through and the other one cuts back and jacob fouls him....
    sold him and never looking back...

    Open Controls
  6. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Did Coleman touch ball yet?

    Open Controls
  7. 50shades of o'shea
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    For the people that don't know own Coleman and Lukaku pls westbrom score and keep a cs 😉 I made the worst decision. I had Coleman from the start and got rid at 5.9 now he is like 6.7 1st fpl season failure 😉

    Open Controls
  8. Dougal McGuire
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    I've ended up with many hopeful risers on my WC, but am thinking about who I want to end up with. Leaning to adding Erickson, Ramsey (if fit) and downgrading Mertesacker. I would appreciate any thoughts people have. Since I missed the boat on the expensive mids I'm looking to get the value ones like Lallana.

    Mannone - Boruc

    Coleman - Koscielny - Gabbidon - Mertesacker - Kolarov

    Johnson - Ki Sung-Yueng - Wilshere - Lallana - Cabaye

    Agüero - Sturridge - Suárez

    0.6 in the bank

    Open Controls
  9. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    I raked my studs down his ankle is that ok ref??

    Yes but don't do it again

    Open Controls
  10. Hibbo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Everton crying out for a real throwback no.10 playmaker.

    Open Controls
    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      +10

      Open Controls
    2. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      ... or a Tony Hibbert?

      Open Controls
  11. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Lukaku seems lost his touch along with his hair

    Open Controls
    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Nah his touch went ages ago

      Open Controls
  12. Acquafresca
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Players I sold on WC:

    Yaya 13pts
    Cabaye 15pts
    Adebayor 13pts
    Lukaku ... bound for glory 😡

    Open Controls
    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      😯 🙁

      Open Controls
      1. Get up ya bum
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        The curse of the January wildcard

        Open Controls
        1. Acquafresca
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          The curse of my awful season

          Open Controls
    2. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah I sold Ade and Cazorla. I think the Jan WC should be banned

      Open Controls
      1. Heydudes13
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        This.

        Open Controls
        1. Heydudes13
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Sold Yaya and Ade.

          Open Controls
      2. Get up ya bum
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        I agree and mine's gone quite well

        Open Controls
      3. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Or, it should be available for only 2 weeks at the end of Jan. That would be a good compromise.

        Open Controls
    3. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Feck! Didn't realise you sold Cabaye too! Annoyed about losing Yaya and Ade?

      Open Controls
    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Must of been the 10th time I've seen this posted today

      Open Controls
  13. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    The scriptwriters employed by the BBC for Eastenders need a new manager.

    Disgraceful disregard for the intelligence of the license payers/

    Open Controls
    1. Chris_Fàbregas #DOOS…
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      The passing in this game has been very sloppy..

      Open Controls
  14. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Poor week, 49 before today with just Coleman to go but I can deal with it as I've won my cup match and both my H2H's (could potentially lose one if Lukaku and Mirallas combine for more than 17 points) without losing place (yet!) in my main MLs.

    Hopefully I can stay in the top 100k though it's not likely..

    Open Controls
    1. Pap Boomez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Poor week or gloat did you say?

      Open Controls
      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        poor week on the whole I would think! Ideally doing well in your MLs (still not top) and doing overall go hand in hand, thankfully though as I wane on the whole I didn't wane in my MLs (yet, could still happen today).

        you did well this week 🙂

        Open Controls
        1. Pap Boomez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks buddy all the best

          Open Controls
  15. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Must be weird having some some random guy you don't know shouting instructions from the touchline 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Leave David Moyes alone

      Open Controls
    2. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      *flashbacks to school footie * at least this lot aren't playing in their undies

      Open Controls
  16. Acquafresca
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Lukaku went from looking 31 to 13...

    Open Controls
    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      The Fresh Prince called, he wants his haircut back.

      Open Controls
      1. Jimbo123
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        *Danny Welbeck

        Open Controls
        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Welbeck Snipes? Famously starred in Money Train and White Men Can't Jump?

          Open Controls
          1. Jimbo123
            • 16 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            🙂

            Open Controls
    2. Philman
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Unlucky on the WC mate. Look at the long game.

      Come over to the dark side (totalfpl), and I will show you my attempt this week.

      Open Controls
  17. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Keep or sell Lukaka?

    Open Controls
    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Sell. Get Bony or Jrod and enjoy the riches 😉

      Open Controls
    2. PGR
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      If he blanks today, I'm selling for Bony

      Open Controls
      1. Get up ya bum
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        You should do that regardless imo. Stick to a plan

        Open Controls
      2. Schürrle Class
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Why Bony?

        Open Controls
        1. PGR
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          He's got great fixtures coming up

          Open Controls
          1. Schürrle Class
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Still though Suarez didnt score against Villa?

            Open Controls
    3. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      On haircut alone I'd sell.

      Open Controls
      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Why on the earth I sold Ade instead as planned selling Lukaka 🙁

        Open Controls
        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Who did you sell?

          Open Controls
  18. PGR
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    What a crap game!

    Open Controls
  19. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Coleman soooooo close

    Open Controls
    1. UnderstandablyDistraught
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      not eeeeeeeven on target

      Open Controls
  20. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Why Oviedo didn't shoot there? Arrrrhhhhhhhhhh

    Open Controls
  21. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Howard is a shit keeper

    Open Controls
  22. Peggi
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    jeez Mirallas, just pass the ball to Lukaku

    Open Controls
    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      And change the habit of a lifetime?

      Open Controls
  23. Hibbo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Mirallas is such a stupid player.

    Open Controls
    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Selfish rather

      Open Controls
      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        True.

        Totally lack of football brain and hasn't the humility to play the simple pass.

        Open Controls
  24. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    If I am manager, Miralas would never be in my starting 11. Oh my god how selfish is that !!! No clue about football, team sport btw !!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Open Controls
    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Deleofeu will take his spot very soon

      Open Controls
  25. Barrier Freeman
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Mirallas not having much fun in Laguno's(sp?) pocket.

    Open Controls
    1. Schürrle Class
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      😯

      Open Controls
  26. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Baines please score 🙁

    Open Controls
  27. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Pmsl... Yacob gets booked for getting kicked

    Open Controls
    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Serves him right. Needs to be pulled up before he starts head-butting peoples fists

      Open Controls
  28. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Everton where the feck is your shape in this game. It's looking like a borefest of overpaid Prem players going through the motions.

    Open Controls
    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      0-0 will do fine thank you. As long as Lukaku keeps quiet

      Open Controls
      1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Looking good for that. Hope Brom score tbh and wake the feckers up.

        Open Controls
  29. Waynoo
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Oviedo needs monitoring

    Open Controls
    1. Jimbo123
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Is it his heart?

      Open Controls
  30. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    FUUUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK just sold Oviedo!

    Ps that might have been a turn of the Daniels.

    Open Controls