[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
20 March 2016 2699 comments
James Barnes James Barnes
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We’re treated to two final showdowns before the curtains are drawn on Gameweek 31. The Manchester clubs clash at the Etihad as the battle for the Champions League places intensifies, while title-chasing Tottenham Hotspur are visited by a Bournemouth side that’s recorded three successive wins.

Both City and United have flattered to deceive from an attacking perspective across their last four matches: United netted five goals and accrued the joint-fourth-fewest attempts (40), while the Sky Blues placed in the bottom seven for shot-conversion rate (8.3%). At the other end of the pitch, City allowed the fewest shots inside the box (11) of any side but still retrieved the ball from the net on as many occasions (five) as United.

Spurs tallied 16 more attempts (88) and 10 more shots on target (36) than any team across their previous quartet of league encounters, yet they suffered from a 6.8% shot-conversion rate. In contrast, Bournemouth produced some clinical finishing over their last four and subsequently placed joint-third for shot-conversion (16.7%). The Cherries have also shown improved defensive form with just three goals conceded in their last five road trips. However, Tottenham can perhaps take comfort from the fact that only Norwich City have conceded more big chances away from home than Eddie Howe’s side.

  1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Lol aguero wtf

  2. Hect.OR 98th
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    What a great season. Surely one of Spurs or Leicester will now win the title, and West Ham looking a possibility for a top four finish. Is complacency among the "big four" clubs the common factor? It seems to much of a coincidence that they would all have a less than stellar season in the same year? Have they just become so used to success and the comfy financial consequences of CL qualification that they've simply not moved on and kept pace with the tactical approach and fitness of the "lesser" teams doing well this season?

    1. Diva
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      New TV deal may have helped too.

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      The 'better' clubs have been an absolute shambles. Tactically especially, and also in terms of intensity.

      The state of the league table is a testament to how far our league has fallen.

      1. Hect.OR 98th
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        The PL's position in relation to other leagues is of no interest to me. I'd rather have seasons like this one and a lack of English club success in the CL than the other way around.

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          But surely you're also interested in quality football? I watched BvB v Bayern play a 0-0, and the quality was comparatively astounding. Much more entertaining than anything I've seen in the PL this year.

          A balance has to be found between competitiveness and quality, and we are extremely lacking in the latter.

          1. Hect.OR 98th
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            I've found Spurs, Leicester and West Ham play to be of good quality and entertaining. You're right about balance but I think there's been enough quality in the PL this year to keep purists happy.

            1. Wilshere Knowledge
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Leicester, Spurs and West Ham would be fine in terms of quality for the middle third, but not for the top 4, imo.

              I'm indifferent about top PL clubs meeting, but I'm really excited for the potential CL semi's, without having any stake in it.

              1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                See Arsenal fan

                1. Wilshere Knowledge
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 1 month ago

                  This isn't a line of argument.

                  If you disagree with me, fine, but dismissing my opinions out of hand due to allegiances is silly.

                  1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                    • 14 Years
                    10 years, 1 month ago

                    The "better" club bolloxxxx annoys me as is typical of Arsenal fans. Enjoy your 4th place again...

                    You haven't been a serious challenge for a number of years... Fair play to Leicester, Spurs and West Ham for stepping up and playing better football than these so called better clubs

                    1. Wilshere Knowledge
                      • 12 Years
                      10 years, 1 month ago

                      The 'better' clubs term is simply an indication of a clubs potential linked to its resources. Of course you should demand more of a club like Man U who have seemingly unlimited resources.

                      Yes, well done to those other clubs, and of course you can only beat what's in front of you, but in a league of quality it wouldn't happen.

                      Perhaps you should put aside your footballing tribalism when engaging in debate.

                      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                        • 14 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        Perhaps Arsenal, Chelsea, Manu and Citeh fans should also...

                        Don't think that will ever happen on here

                      2. Wilshere Knowledge
                        • 12 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        I don't see anyone doing such here other than you. You've got a Crystal Palace fan below arguing for a lack of quality which completely undermines whatever point you think you have.

                        I can understand how some people can enjoy the hectic nature of our league at the moment, but I personally clamour for far more quality from my own club, as well as others. Hopefully Pep's arrival will not only do goods for City, but also demand more of others.

                      3. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                        • 14 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        Wow you need to read people's comments better...

                        No bias from fans on here... Blimey

                      4. Wilshere Knowledge
                        • 12 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        *In this debate

                        I could throw a LOL@Old School at you, would you equally grant that to be a valid repost?

                        Anyway, I'm off. I wish you well, and hope Spurs lose the rest of their games and get relegated next season. 😉

                      5. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                        • 14 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        🙄

            2. Annie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              I disagree completely. Quality is lacking, are you blind?

              1. Hect.OR 98th
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                No, but you're rude and seemingly incapable of debate without insult.

                1. Annie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  10 years, 1 month ago

                  It's competitive, but there isn't much quality and I can't see the argument for it. There aren't many world class players in the PL. They have all virtually all gone out of Europe by the quarter final stages.

                  1. Hect.OR 98th
                    • 16 Years
                    10 years, 1 month ago

                    That's true, but entertainment is subjective. I loved watching Ronaldo when he was strutting his stuff in the PL and it wild be great to have more of his ilk, but good team play and intensity can be just as entertaining.

                    1. Annie
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      10 years, 1 month ago

                      entertainment wise, you're right. No argument and apologies for being rude.

                      1. Hect.OR 98th
                        • 16 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        Thanks. Good debate. I do see your side of the argument but I prefer mine!

        2. getfunky
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          the standard has been woeful, surely it's about watching quality football?

          worst PL season in living memory

          1. Hect.OR 98th
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            I don't think it's been woeful. There are some poor footballing teams rightly at the bottom of the league, but there always are. I think there's been enough good football to go with the entertainment. To call it the worst season in living memory is surely an exaggeration?

            1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Only Arsenal, Chelsea, Citeh and Manu fans make these statements... Just ignore

              1. getfunky
                • 13 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                palace fan thanks & you must be blind if you think this has been a good season, take away the leicester fairytale & you have nothing but average football.

                1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                  • 14 Years
                  10 years, 1 month ago

                  Who do you support? There's your answer

                  1. getfunky
                    • 13 Years
                    10 years, 1 month ago

                    what was the question?

                    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                      • 14 Years
                      10 years, 1 month ago

                      What's the meaning of life?

                      1. getfunky
                        • 13 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        get one?

                      2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                        • 14 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        Yeah you should.... Mine is great... Seriously it really is 🙂

                2. Hect.OR 98th
                  • 16 Years
                  10 years, 1 month ago

                  But it's all about what you define as good. I've enjoyed this season more than many in recent years, so for me, it's been very good. There are other leagues I can watch if I want to watch technically superior football and enjoy that, and I do, but my "home" league has been more enjoyable as a result of the form book being changed.

              2. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                the quality has been poor though.

              3. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                Nah, I think in this case the standard has been pretty poor and it's been on the decline for a number of years underneath the shiny veneer of all the hype.
                Who have you enjoyed watching this year?
                Leicester,&Bournemouth have been entertaining followed by West Ham, Stoke (!!) Southampton Spurs with Everton Liverpool Arsenal in spells.
                Quality wise it's been poor imo.

            2. getfunky
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              why is it? i can't think of a season so deviod of quality.

      2. Fiona B
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Or how much better it is. Rather see this vs La Liga style same 2 teams dominating forever

        1. Hect.OR 98th
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Absolutely. Club loyalty aside, how can this season not be better than the last few?

          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            The last few seasons have been terrible.

            Leiciester 5 points clear of 2nd and 11 points clear of 3rd. Last season Chelsea walked it, and 2 seasons prior a terrible Man U side walker it.

            Competitiveness is overstated, and quality is abysmal.

        2. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          "In last 15 years, distance between top and bottom (& 4th top/4th bottom) is shorter in La Liga than PL."

          Sure, Spain have the problem or their top 3 teams, who do compete, being simply too good. (not for Spain, but it would be the same in England.

          If you want just competitiveness, without quality, you could probably find some Nigerian football that is tighter than the PL.

          1. Hect.OR 98th
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Good debate guys, thank you.

  3. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Oh come on Aguero

  4. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Oh come on!!!!

  5. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Silva Kum combo almost delivered

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Fix your keyboard

      1. Fred54
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Too much 'Kum' on the keyboard maybe the problem...

      2. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        It's not entirely down to the keyboard

  6. Duke Silver ☑
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero you bellend

    1. 3hoursleep
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Why is Bony not Itchynacho - Itchy would've buried that. My Nan would've buried that

    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      It was Bony

  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero the new donkey?

  8. tm245
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Wow, have to score on one of those chances.

  9. Goodricke
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Benched Eriksson for ozil, and now got in early to seel him for Sanchez. i expect next week will be as bad as this one.

  10. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Why was Rojo subbed?

    1. Declan
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      not fit enough to play 90

    2. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      no reason really.

      1. rdamjan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Tnx

  11. Clumsy Sakho
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    JAMESCLEMENTS33
    De Gea Cabalerro
    Wimmer Cresswell Simpson Monreal Sakho
    Sanchez Ozil mahrez payet FIRMINO
    Rashford lukaku Aguero

    My proposed WC team, thoughts?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Game on.

      1. Clumsy Sakho
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Go for it?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Ask after the game.

      2. Coaly
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        So?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Not a good time for it. Pages move quickly too.

          1. Coaly
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            You saw it and had time to reply.

            Agree pages move quickly and you'll get less responses but people probably know this and just want one or two

            Don't think it should be a blanket assumption that all posts not about the game on should be ignored deliberately

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Hart may be back for a start. 2 weeks to change it if on WC.

    2. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Lol

  12. tm245
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Bony does so little with so much.

  13. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Harry Kane, what a two season wonder... 😉

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      😆

  14. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Kane 1 goal projected rank 26500 🙂
    Kane 2 goal and 1 assist projected rank 36500 🙁

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He isn't your captain I presume

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yes unfortunately captained Siggy

    2. Shifty
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Come join me in the 300k! It's fun here.

      1. cyclopropane
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        64k but expecting 80-100 after kane

    3. cyclopropane
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      hahaha that EO. same boat here

    4. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Would be worse if you hadn't captained him.

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Haven't captained him. That's why I am only getting a small increase in rank.

  15. Fred54
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    By God Kun, Heskey's gran could have scored that!

    But not Navas.

  16. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Bony looking lively

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      So does a headless chicken

  17. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Wouldn't mind Toby scoring.

    1. ARKANOIIDE
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      +1

  18. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Dare i say it hello top 10k 🙂

  19. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Lol Navas

  20. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Why even bother shooting Navas

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He is so bad in shooting, it's unbelievable

    2. Jay_
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Best hope from him is he wins a pen

    3. ARKANOIIDE
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      If Navas score i will delete my FPL acc.

      1. RoyaleBlue
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        No you won't

        1. RoyaleBlue
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          What would life be without fpl

    4. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Never has a player been so aptly name but Navas.

      'Jesus, what was that?!'

      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Ruth NZ, pukes at the name said for weeks last year he was class... Didn't like it when I pointed out he was talking sh!t again

    5. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Who told Navas it was ok to shoot?

      More shots this game than all season

      1. Syd.
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Row Z doesn't count

    6. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Don't suppose they're looking to get Kane off for a rest?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Probably wants a hatty. Nothing to be saved for.

        1. Cilly Bonnolly
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, wishful thinking by me.

    7. eazy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Where can you check your projected rank?

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        fantasyfootballfix.com

      2. Jay_
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Fantasy football fix, gameweek live

        • Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          fantasyfootballfix

        • For Fuchs Sake
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Fantasy Football Fix

        • Diva
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Fantasy Football Fix

        • Messiah Hazard
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Fantasy Football Fix

      3. Ayew Serious
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        12 behind today's average 😥

      4. Eden Azzzar
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        40 points today may get top 700k now

      5. Hect.OR 98th
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        On for 85 points and 12 benched...what a week. My £13.6m player is the lowest scoring player in my team.

        1. Trae44
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          86 with 21 benched here

        2. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I feel your pain mate

      6. Fred54
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Might just go with 5-6 DGW max at this rate....

      7. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Need a Kun goal