Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Boxing Day

Gameweek 18 continues in some style, with half a dozen three o’clock kick-offs boasting a strong cast of leading Fantasy assets.

All the top captaincy options are in action, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic carrying huge expectations into Manchester United’s Old Trafford meeting with Sunderland – he is the top choice for skipper, backed by 25% of Fantasy Premier League managers.

Equally, Arsenal pair Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott promise attacking returns of their own at the Emirates, though the latter misses out – he is suffering a calf complaint which allows Olivier Giroud to earn a recall up front. Sanchez is backed by 14.6% for the captaincy but finds himself deployed on the right flank today.

Stamford Bridge will also be a major focus.

Without the suspended Diego Costa against visitors Bournemouth, manager Antonio Conte deploys Eden Hazard as his central attacker, with Michy Batshuayi kept on the bench. Hazard has returned six of his eight goals at home but has recorded just a single strike in his last five Gameweek starts.

Elsewhere, Swansea City’s meeting with West Ham in South Wales also promises goals and returns, with Gylfi Sigurdsson the star turn on show.

Burnley’s meeting with Middlesbrough is, on paper at least, likely to be a far more dour affair, while Everton’s visit to Leicester City pairs two unpredictable sides.

Romelu Lukaku is by far the most popular asset on show as he seeks to exploit a Foxes defence without the suspended Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs. However, the Belgian has scored in just one of his last seven Gameweeks.

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

3,348 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Cech Pick
    Alonso Lovren Holebas Pieters Chambers
    Alexis Lallana Siggy Pedro Carrick
    Ibra Kane Defoe

    1 FT 0.0 ITB

    Pedro out for:

    A) Antonio
    B) Phillips
    C) Fabregas
    D) Townsend
    E)?

    1. Too Mane Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      E) Keep him?

      If not, B for sure.

      1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Pretty poor fixtures after the Stoke game for which he is suspended.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      C or Willian

      1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Willian is 7.1

    3. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      B

  2. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Amat no show, Kone off the bench 😎

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Kone > Ake for free?

    2. Poor man's Igor Biscan
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Snap!

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I've had Kone since GW4 wtf is that all about?

        You keeping him Igor?

        1. Poor man's Igor Biscan
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          I still reminisce about his 21 point haul against Everton last year that catapulted me to top of ML right at the last when he had about 0.5% ownership!

          But yes I have been looking to ditch him for a while. Especially with AFCON round the corner. He'll be out of my team by Jan I think

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Ah good point, thanks for the reminder.....

    3. nimbin_headers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Might play next one but Swansea is crap

  3. Shultan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Why has kun only dropped 0.3 in 4 game weeks? whilst others like coutinho drop 0.3 in the same GW (lost 0.2 in 2 days)?
    Is it related to starting ownership at GW1?

    1. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Think it's easier to fall if a player is above their starting price - they fall slower once they get back to that base price. Coutinho started at 8.0 so hasn't hit that yet.

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        This

    2. ABizzle
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Loss of ownership I think. Lots of dead teams still have Aguero.

  4. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    What has made the people here to suddenly like Phillips ?

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Better than Braun.

      1. Odikostar
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        +1

    2. Too Mane Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      His brilliant form when Pulis actually tells them to play attacking football against weaker teams and West Brom's brilliant fixtures. Also shares set pieces with Brunt. I'm getting both.

    3. Shultan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      His points per million plus after Southampton good fixtures for west Bromwich. I'm thinking of downgrading siggy & either getting another big hitter in defence or keeping ITB for kun

    4. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Good form - been playing well despite hard fixtures and now WBA have a really nice run. Also, very cheap and frees up cash to get Costa/Aguero back.

    5. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Fixtures.

    6. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      West Brom are doing well against lower sides. After Spurs game they have great fixtures.
      Phillips priced at 5.5m is solid option as a 4th mid and as is a common theme it seems to be about finding enablers to get the big hitters in.

    7. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks for your Thoughts,
      Considering him as a replacement for Siggy.

  5. istanbul05
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Decent week so far but not liking my team:

    Heaton,
    Alonso, Evans, Holebas,
    Sanchez, Mane, Lallana, Siggy,
    Ibra, Kane, Carroll

    Jaku, Amat, Barragan, Fletcher. 1FT 1.9m ITB

    A) Save
    B) Kane to Costa,
    C) Kane, Siggy to Costa, Mhiki, -4

    Cheers fellas!

    1. nimbin_headers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      C

  6. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    What do u think about that team for a WC? what would you change?

    Heaton pickford
    Alonso luiz jones ake nyom
    Sanchez ozil lallana phillips deroon
    Costa ibra origi

    Can downgrade luiz and upgrade phillips to pedro

    1. TopMarx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ozil to Eriksen, Benteke instead of Origi, not keen on Luiz either... good luck!

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Keep Luiz, Looks good.

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        If you did ozil > erikson you could do luiz > azpi
        I'd do origi > rondon too

  7. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Out the FPL cup 🙁

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Just checked, never qualified in the first place.

      1. Bleach †
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        haha, same 😀

      2. Odikostar
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Haha same

    2. nimbin_headers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I am still in I hope. If origi gets hat trick I would be out

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      That's the same score as my opponent in the FPL cup,and he did it without TC :(!

  8. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    so of the 5 big hitters which one would you not have?
    Costa
    Aguero
    Sanchez
    Hazard
    Ibra

    1. nimbin_headers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero for now

    2. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero

    3. Too Mane Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero. Biggest risk but biggest potential reward.

    4. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero bcuz of price

    5. TopMarx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Plan to get Aguero back, you need all 5.

    6. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Costa lel

    7. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I might have to risk going without two. Probably the top two.

  9. nimbin_headers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    What do we think is wrong with Walcott

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Poor man's Mirallas...

      1. nimbin_headers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        And..... Crocked or just rested

    2. Too Mane Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Minor calf complaint. Might even be made up to keep him fresh for the next two games. He's still a beast.

  10. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Are people getting aguero for BUR at home? For me, it means I would have to downgrade Hazard, not sure its worth it. :-/

    1. nimbin_headers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Nah wait and see

    2. Bleach †
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Nope

  11. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Any concern to get Walcott for next GW? Will Giroud get back to the bench and Sanchez back to the top?

  12. sillyhilly69
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Who had the huge accy waiting for a Newcastle win? Did he cash out?

    1. Morgs
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yeh before the game, he posted a few pages back

  13. Morgs
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    How did Heaton get 3 bonus points today?? He only made 2 saves...

    1. Too Mane Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Successful passes, clearances and key passes. Plus the fact that non of Burnley's defenders do well on the BPS system. Keane should but somehow doesn't the FPL one doesn't treat some players very well.

      1. Too Mane Men
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Simple answer is get Brunt + Phillips and avoid Nyom, Foster and Evans. Pulis is already safe this season. The only worry is players losing focus.

        1. Too Mane Men
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Wrong post.

  14. FAITHNOMORENO
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    only 3 clean sheets for wba so far.
    hmm

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Well we all know they're gonna come

      1. FAITHNOMORENO
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        do we?
        contemplating double wba defence,but only 3cs so far is not assuring.

        1. Too Mane Men
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Bruntinho. Problem solved.

          1. FAITHNOMORENO
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            what about Evans at 4.5?

  15. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Last Man Standing Update

    Safety score = 35
    Top score = 82
    LMS average = 51.27

    2 games + lots of autosubs to go.

  16. Sweden11
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    I am on WC. Any suggestions to improve this team:

    Foster Pickford
    Bellerin Evans Ake Kelly Williams
    Sanchez Lallana Mikhi Allen Fletcher
    Aguero Costa Caroll

    1. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ibra

      1. Sweden11
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        How would you fit him in?

    2. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I'd probably still prefer having Ibra + Hazard over Aguero and Mkhi

    3. Ephurion
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      You sure about Bellerin over Alonso?

      I assume you made up your mind on the big hitters, so not doing any surgery there.

      You could do Phillips instead of Allen and Carroll -> Rondon.

      To fund either you can do or Kelly to a 4.0 defender, or both with Williams to a 4.0.

      Personally I'd do Williams to a 4.0 and get Both Phillips and Allen in. Leaves you with a weak 5th defender (but hey, how often do you really play that guy?), but should net you quite a few extra points from the front 7.

  17. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Lovren to Walker or Valencia for free?

    1. Too Mane Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Valencia for sure

  18. b✪mber
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Is keeping Nacho for the Burnley game (less than 48h after the Pool game) madness? Gonna drop in price too. And with the busy schedule and Walcott and Pedro both in my team I don't know where to turn (I wanna hold Pedro). Even the big name players are at risk of being rested in the 1 of the next 2.

    I'm in a tough spot.

    1. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Not madness
      We're all in the same boat!

  19. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Siggy and Defoe out
    Lukaku and Ramirez in

    Views?

    1. Too Mane Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Siggy has Palace and Defoe has Burnley. Big risk dropping them. Ramirez not very consistent either.

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Siggy Has Bournemouth away.
      Idk I feel I hopped on to double arsenal attacker too soon.
      Maybe remove Walcott if he misses the palace game ?

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Siggy gets one more week, then ejected if nothing good comes of it

    4. Ephurion
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Keep Siggy for Bournemouth and Palace, then drop.
      I know Lukaku against Hull is tempting, but after Hull he has Southampton and City before the fixtures turns to amazing.

  20. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Any players like to rise .2 before Friday?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ibra might.

    2. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ibra

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe Costa if people buy him back in droves now the suspension has been served

      Much depends on Kane on Weds

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Think Costa's price is protected for a week or so?

      2. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Costa's price is locked until Jan 3rd

  21. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    First green in 8 it's only up to 740k from 780k but it's progress and fingers crossed Clyne, firmino, Allen and Harry can improve that a little bit more yet...

  22. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Lads, is this team good to go for next week?

    Heaton (Forster)
    Bellerin Alonso Walker Cahill Van Dijk
    Sanchez(c) Hazard Eriksen Phillips (Lallana)
    Ibrahimovic(vc) (Anichebe, Diomande)
    0.1 in the bank

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Lallana on the bench? My (c) pick is not bulging from Ibra 😉

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Tbf, I guess you have a good point with Lallana...our defence is rubbish.

        Middlesbrough are pretty decent defensively, no?

        1. Les Bleus
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah City will definitely concede at Anfield IMO.

          But yeah Boro good defensively but United clicking on all cylinders at the moment.

      2. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        My (d) is bulging too

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Oops typo.

  23. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    For the foreseeable future which pair is better:
    Phillips & Benteke or Rondon & Chadli/Rodriguez

    1. Zareos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Phillips and Benteke. Fixtures and spreads the risk.

  24. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Got a decent enough score today, and thought I'd check my opponent in the cup.....

    He only went at got 82 points with two to play ! Wiped my smug smile straight off my face!

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      It's a stupid cup anyway!*

      *I failed to even qualify.

      1. Zareos
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        This.

      2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Completely agree with you 😉 ! I wanted to concentrate on my ML anyway ...

        How can anyone compete with 82 with two to play haha! That's a GW rank of 9,694!

    2. Odikostar
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Geez

  25. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Just play Allen or de roon next week or ditch Allen for a hit?

    At the minute thinking just stick.

    1. Zareos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Stick, play Allen

  26. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    I thought 41 would be a pretty good score today. 5 to play a lot more than average?

  27. Bleach †
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Would you rather have Hazard or double Chelsea def?

    1. Zareos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Double defence

    2. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Haz + 1 defender

    3. william prunier
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Is this alongside Costa?

      1. Bleach †
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Yep

  28. Zareos
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Who should I ditch for GW19?

    A. Firmino;
    B. Eriksen; or
    C. Wait?

    If I go for C it means I miss the latest Zlatan price rise.

  29. Elijah's Wood
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Heaton
    Alonso Alderweireld PVA
    Hazard Sanchez Lallana Erikson Siggy
    Ibra Benteke

    Pickford Anichebe Evans Amat // £0m banked

    A) PVA > Brunt
    B) Toby A > Brunt + £1.3m in the bank

    Is it too light to downgrade either Siggy or Erikson > Phillips (great fixtures in a couple weeks)