634x258 Dugout Discussion
21 February 2015 4212 comments
James Barnes James Barnes
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With no early match to engage us, Fantasy managers can finally get down to business via a batch of six three o’clock kick-offs with some intriguing clashes on offer, brimming with potential point hauls.

Tim Sherwood’s first encounter in charge of Aston Villa sees his side lock horns with injury-hit Stoke City as Christian Benteke is handed the chance to end his eight-Gameweek drought and fire his way onto our Fantasy radars. We’ve put our Scout Pick faith in a instant revival for the Belgian.

Chelsea are the clear favourites for their Saturday clash with Burnley, having only conceded once in their previous seven home ties. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are both heavily backed in this week’s Captain Poll – the latter has scored in all but one of his nine home appearances so far. Meanwhile, the Clarets star man Danny Ings – who’s netted five times in his last six outings – should keep the Blues’ backline on their toes.

Alan Pardew is looking for a fourth win in six matches in charge of Palace as Arsenal roll up to Selhurst Park. The likes of Jason Puncheon, Dwight Gayle and Yannick Bolasie look the likeliest men for the home side, whilst the Gunners boast a number of form players. Olivier Giroud strengthened his claim to be reinstated as the Gunners’ lone striker with a brace in the FA Cup win over Middlesbrough. Mesut Ozil’s 4.6% ownership will want more of the same from the German playmaker, who’s notched two goals and three assists in the previous three Gameweeks, whilst Alexis Sanchez goes in search of a seventh double-figure haul of the season.

Queens Park Rangers secured their first away win of the campaign last week against Sunderland and will need to overcome a Hull City side that have recorded two clean sheets in their last three home ties. Rangers’ talisman Charlie Austin is available again and is on our radars ahead of their double Gameweek 28, whilst Nikica Jelavic and Dame N’Doye both bagged a goal apiece in the Tigers’ win over Swansea last time around.

Sunderland will be desperate to bounce back from consecutive 2-0 defeats to QPR and Bradford as West Brom roll up to the Stadium of Light. Gus Poyet has his work cut out, though – Tony Pulis’ side now have five clean sheets in eight matches across all competitions since he took charge. Baggies front pair Saido Berahino and Brown Ideye are both thriving under the new manager and threaten to spoil the Black Cats’ clean sheet.

Swansea City welcome back Gylfi Sigurdsson from suspension as the Swans attempt to best Manchester United and record their first home victory of the year. Robin van Persie is fit for the visitors after recovering from a minor injury, whilst Angel di Maria’s owners will be hoping for more of the same after the Argentine delivered a pair of assists in the previous Gameweek.

Later this evening, City play host to Newcastle with Sergio Aguero on show, along with the returning Yaya Toure. With the Ivorian back on board, the champions will be expected to sweep aside Newcastle’s injury-hit backline. Fantasy managers are keeping an eye out for a potential debut for Wilfried Bony, whilst Aguero carries the armband hopes of many heading into the Etihad encounter in a Saturday captaincy head-to-head with Hazard.

  1. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Great header byCharlie.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      charlie chaplin?

      1. Heydudes13
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Charlie Austin.

      2. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Charlie Brown.

    2. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Glad I kept him.

  2. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Top 100 in the Mirror game... Forgot to do my team.

    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Top 100 in Mirror game... Hoping Walcott gets on to score in the second half.

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        I'm happy with that. I've got Walcott. Would have took him out if I got round to it.

        1. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Walcott and PVA missing for me, with Downing and Janmaat to come in for them.

  3. Woy of the Wovers
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Only 3 goals and one assist so far. Do something Pantilimon!!!

  4. Nickofoz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    I hope ADM's assist stick's. He is on for 3 bonus.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      why check bonus now? only ends in disappointment

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        True.

    2. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Think it will.

    3. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Why wouldn't it ? 😐

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Could be a williams OG

    4. No Luck
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      That apostrophe is doing my head in

      1. Lucy.
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Ditto.

      2. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        At least finish your sentence... 😉

        1. Beavis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          This.

        2. megatronaldinho
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          boo. end of post is as full a stop as necessary

        3. Zasa
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Neverending story 😯

      3. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Soz, it's late here in Oz 😛

        1. No Luck
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          forgiven, just! 😛

          1. Nickofoz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            😀

    5. Crystal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      In the rules it was a clear OG, when does it get ruled tho?

  5. mitro
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    one walcott goal please

  6. Ludo
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Ivanovic... Bloody hell!

    1. dodger49
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      My thoughts exactly

    2. Scratch
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      He's practically been playing centre forward

  7. Scratch
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Lescott should've been off, stonewall red card professional foul

    Chelsea should've had 2 penalties i'd be seething if I was sitting on Hazard (c)

    Beautiful team goal by Herrera

    1. SC not pearls before swine
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      I'm a glass half full Haz captainer, still a lot of time left.

  8. davies
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    How's Defoe looked?

    1. Lucy.
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      From what the BBC says, he's looked threatening and most likely to break the deadlock.

      1. davies
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        That's what I like to hear.

  9. dodger49
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    So why is PVA dropped again?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      again?

      no idea

      1. dodger49
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        I assumed this has been discussed earlier today, hence "again". Not that he was dropped before

    2. Atters
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Poyet playing more attacking formation so wanted more defensively minded full backs

    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Because Poyet went with 3 at the back and he can't play as a CB. Looks like he needs replacing this week.

  10. tm245
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Oscar, please come out for the second half.

    1. Pinturicchio
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      My three-week flirtation with Oscar is coming to an end. He'll make way for the blank.

      1. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Yep. F**king typical.

      2. tm245
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Not my finest decision making.

    2. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Why would you say this

      Injured ??? 🙁

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        No, just looked pretty disconnected.

  11. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    8 from 7.

    Genuinely can't remember the last time I had a good gw.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      GW23

      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Almost a month ago, yikes

        🙁

  12. Prince of Persia
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    My starting defenders are Azpi, PVA and Bellerin !!! 😀

  13. stephenl15
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    feck off giroud 🙁

  14. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Sanchez, do something or u are out of my team at GW 29! Why the hell I captained u?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      he needs to step up, this is one of his last chances, if he doesn't perform today I will consider selling

    2. FISSH
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      lol

    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Only half time! 😀

  15. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Mark counting more Ivanovic points. He got that one right even if he's expensive.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      This is where my pauper TV fails me. No way can I afford him.

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        ^this^

        1. Pinturicchio
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          In a season where Baines has struggled, Ivan is the only defender who profiles like an attacking midfielder statistically. When you compare his price to a "fourth midfielder" type, he's worth having for the season. People think "he's expensive for a defender!" instead of thinking "he's cheap for the points he is likely to get."

          Even the FFS RMT agrees: among players who cost 7m or more, Ivan consistently places top two or three for value.

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Mark loves his expensive defenders.

    3. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      he appears to be worth every penny, totally nailed, good value for CS and a massive goal threat

      1. Lucy.
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        I always seem to have more pressing priorities at the moment. 🙁

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      You were so stubborn. Your decision. Chin up

  16. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Time to get rid of AJ. I've had him for over a month 😐

    Eriksen here I come baby...

    1. Atters
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      He had a goal wrongly disallowed

    2. Lucy.
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Eriksen has a blank next week?????

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Ah sucks. Just seen this...

        Thanks.

        1. Lucy.
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Maybe wait with AJ one more week and then switch? 🙂

          1. Every Dog Has Its Day
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            He's got united :'(

  17. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Want to see Falcao walking up the tunnel on to the pitch..

  18. bigbudgie
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    I think Arsenal should buy another midfielder

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Reus.

      1. bigbudgie
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        he'll do

  19. FISSH
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    if RVP cost £5.0M next season I still wouldn't get him.

    1. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      That's a lie

      1. FISSH
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        it really isnt

        1. Walsh
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 11 months ago

          Yes it is.

          1. Leaf
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 11 months ago

            Oh no it isn't

  20. TuttiFrutti
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    ivanovic's bap score... considering he has scored a goal

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      half time, baps don't mean much

    2. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Defenders don't get much for scoring. With CS and winning goal he will be on 2 or 3.

    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Defenders don't get as many baps for scoring.

  21. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Welbeck kicking Wally 🙁 ... With this kind of performance, Theo will rotten to the bench

    1. Texas Pete
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      1 minute will do for me. Stop a rival getting that present from Santi.

      1. Konig Luther
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 months ago

        Benched Santi? that is stupid

  22. madame shelly
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    why no pva today ? anyone know if he had a knock or rested or just dropped ?

    also bellerin ! ffs

    1. Lucy.
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      PVA dropped. We knew Bellerin was a doubt.

    2. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Dropped, probably because they lost to QPR and Bradford, and he's not very good at defending...a

    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      No news.

  23. Red Star Toro
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    First depressingly disappointing first 45 mins from a while

  24. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Valencia on, McNair off

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 months ago

      Interesting change

  25. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Valencia on for McNair

  26. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Palace's legs have weakened by a total factor of 4 on average.

    Walcott is itching to get on.

  27. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    got to decide how to spend my spare FT next week

    do I go for a 1 GW punt like Herrera or secure a more long term like Alderweireld (if he's fit)

  28. Bucket_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    My average first half in FF has been significantly brightened by finding out that Pompey are winning 4-1... away from home...?!

  29. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Racist chanting at London's St Pancras station - thought to involve #CFC fans - investigated bbc.in/18bymJ5

  30. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 11 months ago

    Held-off-Defoe-out-for-Giroud.

    Come-on-JD