Dugout Discussion
7 August 2016 3899 comments
Mark Mark
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The first competitive game of the domestic season warrants our first Dugout Discussion.

There is just so much on show to interest Fantasy Football managers, as Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City clash with Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United under the baking sun of Wembley.

The form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will inevitably come under the closest scrutiny – the latter begins on the bench but Ibrahimovic starts; his display will surely be crucial to his burgeoning ownership levels over the next 24-hours.

But it’s dangerous to ignore Leicester.

Both Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy are on Ranieri’s teamsheet as they bid to play their way into our day one thinking for the potentially profitable trip to Hull City. Again, their performances could change everything, forcing us back to the drawing board in a matter of hours.

It’s a fascinating scenario and a fitting taster to the season kick-off next weekend.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

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  1. Positively Animal
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Good evening all. I would be grateful for any advice on these chaps:

    GK: Cech
    DEF: Balley, Stones & Clichy
    MID: Sanchez, Oscar, Redmond & Fegouli
    STR: Aguero, Kane & Carrol

    SUBS: Foster, de Roon, Pieters & McAuley

    Thanks....

  2. Davido989
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    This City team just look waaaay behind schedule. It's as if this is their first pre season match.

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

      Preseason has not been too great for us. A bit worried.

      1. Davido989
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        The United game getting cancelled didn't help either.

    2. THE REAL RON ⚽
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Agreed. A mis-match team and they don't look like they're going to hit the ground running. 😕

      Arsenal haven't looked terrific either compared to Spurs/Pool.

      1. Davido989
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Fitness wise they don't, agreed

        1. THE REAL RON ⚽
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          And that's a big factor at this stage of the season.

    3. Ziro
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Peppered with new tactics is all.

      1. Davido989
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Lool

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

        This too. A bit over the top if I'm honest

  3. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    City's defence looks no better than last year. Avoid.

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

      Arguably worse with that CB experiment

  4. Graceless Goof
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Walcott goal, Sanchez assist

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

    That gives Wenger the insurance that he doesn't need a striker. 😆

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

    Sterling looks the biggest threat today.

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I've liked KdB since he's came on.

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

        Me too. Sterling's been good all game.

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

    Can't have GW1 without a good Feoooooooo bandwagon

  8. Spike ⚽️
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Man City looked better under Pellegrini

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

      *quietly agrees*

    2. Syd.
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      It's the managers 3rd game in charge and none have been in a competitive competition

      1. Spike ⚽️
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Irelevant - Still the same core of players

  9. KingoftheRunts
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    fischer or ward-prowse? have feghouli who rotates with the latter

  10. yer_ould1
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Cech - Jakupovic

    Shaw - Terry - Souare - McAuley - Pieters

    Sigurdsson - Zaha - Kante - De Bruyne - Firmino

    Aguero - Rooney - Long

    Any criticisms?

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

      drop rooney after today. he was shocking.

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

        This

        1. yer_ould1
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Still think he'll factor heavily with Ibra knocking around, I don't usually take much from pre-season as performances in the league usually mirror pre-season performances.

  11. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Kane and Oscar (+0,5)
    B) Hazard and Lukaku (or Rooney)

    1. Kizza_10
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard and Rooney

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

      Hazard and Lukaku

      1. Zareos
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        If fit though

  12. Kizza_10
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A.
    Forster & Evans

    Or

    B.
    Heaton & Stones

  13. Hakuna Juan Mata
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    who's more nailed on, clichy or sagna?

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

      Clichy

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

    Kane or Vardy ?..

    1. The Road Dogg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      both, with Kun as well

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

    wally looking confident

  16. ol3andre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    RMT 1-10 going with three big strikers. Unsure about the goalkeeper situation and Paredes dont I know much about...

    Foster - Jaku

    Walker - Shaw - McAuley - Paredes - Friend

    Tadic - Lamela - Oscar - Ayew - Højberg.

    Kane - Costa - Kun

    1. Ridgewell's scores
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Thought about it, albeit drew up a whole squad of likely starteds, but I don't think it's worth it.

      1. Ridgewell's scores
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Oh sorry, 5.

        1. ol3andre
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks a lot! Yeah think I need to go back to my old draft and leave Costa out of it and get a better midfield and another 5.0 defender.

    2. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      6

      1. ol3andre
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks a lot, maybe the money need to be used more all over 🙁

  17. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Ox on

  18. Ayew Serious
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So now that everyone owns theo
    Captain?

  19. The Donald
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Walcott wagon anyone 🙂

  20. Davido989
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Seen a few predict City to struggle this season. Pep in for a shock? Or will they be ok?

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

      Might get off to a slow start

    2. SW6
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      they'll be fine.

    3. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      They'll be fine imo

    4. Syd.
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      They will be ok

      He hasn't fielded the strongest 11 yet

      1. Davido989
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Good point. Perhaps a slow start and they pick up. They have a lot of quality.

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

      I think we'll be fine

      1. Davido989
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe my question wasn't specific. What do you consider as fine/ok, top 3?

        1. Jazz!
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          This season is incredibly tough to predict. I think Chelsea and Liverpool particularly will have great seasons with their squad, manager and the lack of Europe. United/City have made many great additions, can never count Arsenal out and Spurs have got a settled squad and manager.

          Can't wait till August 13th 🙂

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

          First place. We always have those expectations.

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

      Have been on since last season when Pep was confirmed. He'll be found out. He's still a good manager but not too the level people associate him with based on his past success

    7. aehii
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I've predicted they'll be flying by November. He messes around a lot at the beginning but I think he demands so much that eventually its got to click....

    8. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think it's far too early to say. Pep has pedigree, but also better sides to work with. This will require some real effort and a few of those City boys like to throw the hands up and not bother at times. On the other hand, he has some of the best players in the league at his disposal.

      It's preseason and despite what some think, many players take it very easy before the competition kicks in.

    9. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not with Joe Shart in goal

  21. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Kdb looks sharp

  22. Jazz!
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Any closer to a £4.0m playing def?

    1. Pasqualinho
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm currently only 0.5 away.

      1. Epic Fail
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😀

      2. Ziro
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😆

      3. reason17
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        LOOOL

      4. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😀

    2. Ayew Serious
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Swansea, two of them.

      Kingsley and Amat

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Hmmm. Seems like GW1 only though. Guess that's the best we've got.

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

          Amat could be longer, if Williams leaves

  23. Coldplay
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Is that a passport in Mata's hand. Surely he's off? 😆

    https://twitter.com/AnderHerrera/status/762356968883453952

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mkhi looks left out 🙁

    2. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not even a real title. It's only a friendly.

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

        Of course. Unless Villa's in it. Then it's like a Champions League final. 😉

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

    Shocking miss by Yaya off a great cross from KDB

  25. The bounty bear
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    RMT

    Degea/Pope

    Morgan/Shaw/Mori/friend/Fry

    Hazard/Erkisson/Tadic/Townsend/Leko

    Kun/Vardy/Grey

  26. reason17
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Fletcher
    B) Capoue

    Why?

  27. The Legend Squad
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Theoretically, Walcott playing well is extremely useful:

    Heaton Foster
    Valencia Gabriel Evans Kone Lenihan
    Tadic Oscar Walcott Lamela Hobjberg
    Aguero Kane Costa

    Is this too top heavy?

    1. The Donald
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      the Theo wagon always ends in tears

  28. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Someone talk me out of getting Baines.

    5.5m seems a steal.

    1. KeepCalm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mirallas - the anti-Baines

    2. THE REAL RON ⚽
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No pens. A share of set pieces.

    3. Pasqualinho
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      If he has pens, lots will jump on. Without them he's just an English Coleman.

    4. SW6
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's lost pens and most free kicks.

      He's not even the best Everton full-back FPL wise

    5. Ziro
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mirallas says bye.

    6. Whazza
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Goalman is younger, hungrier and fitter

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 17 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers guys!

  29. Hakuna Juan Mata
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    which one?

    A) Kane + Mahrez

    B) Vardy + Alli

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

      A

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

      A but still think Mahrez could be overpriced

    3. FPLHaggis
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A) Musa will steal Vardy points

  30. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So this is where I'm at.

    ---------------Heaton-Foster
    Shaw--Azpi--Evans--Friend--Pieters
    Hazard---Capoue----xx------xx-----xx
    Gray-----------Ibra---------------Aguero

    20.5 left

    Redmond and Deulofeu nailed? Leaves me with 8.0

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

      Lamela Oscar Feghouli

      1. Giovanni Giorgio
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Have looked at Lamela too. Not interested in Oscar with Haz already in the team