Dugout Discussion
31 December 2016 2216 comments
Mark Mark
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Six afternoon kick-offs get Gameweek 19 back underway, with our attention fixated on a cast of key assets.

More than 27% of FPL managers go into these matches with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as their captain.

The Swede needs two goals to surpass Lionel Messi as Europe’s top goalscorer in 2016 across the top flight leagues, with the Middlesbrough defence in his way at Old Trafford.

Diego Costa ranks next in terms of armband popularity, claiming the support of 15% of FPL managers ahead of a meeting with Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.

The striker is recalled following a one-match suspension and is part of a reassuringly familiar Blues line-up that also includes Eden Hazard, backed by 6.7% of FPL managers.

There are teamsheet changes elsewhere, however, with Southampton innevitably shuffling the pack for their St Mary’s meeting with West Brom. Jay Rodriguez, Cedric Soares, Jose Fonte and Ryan Bertrand are among the notable names omitted from today’s Saints line-up.

Tony Pulis also makes a key change to his Baggies starting XI for the south coast clash – Salomon Rondon is benched with Hal Robson-Kanu earning a first Premier League start for West Brom.

Meanwhile, Alan Curtis takes the temporary reins for Swansea City against Bournemouth and makes no less than seven changes, recalling Fantasy favourites Jordi Amat and Leroy Fer, along with Fernando Llorente up front.

Elsewhere, Burnley host Sunderland and Leicester City take on West Ham at the King Power Stadium, as they attempt to end the visitors run of three successive wins.

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

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  1. purple.emu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    phillips or a palace mid?

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Palace for me now. If Phillips had blanked today then I would have got him. Now he is going to be under closer watch from the opposition. Hopefully Arsenal beat Palace tomorrow so Townsend / Cabaye etc. don't get significantly transferred in.

      1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I'm sorry but I see that as flawed logic. Phillips scoring well today has shown he's continuing his form and makes picking him more appealing.

  2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    27 from 6 with Friend (1) off the bench. Not too bad considering. Sanchez, Eriksen, Lallana to come. Hoping for close to 70.

    1. Lav
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      31 from 7 with Friend(1) to come on. Sanchez, Eriksen, Zaha left

    2. InSaneMan-e
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      You're expecting over 40 points from those 3!
      Ambitious

    3. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Dream on

  3. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Awful, 21 from 7...

    1. Jönny
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I've got the same from 8, including my captain...

  4. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is it 1 or 3 game ban for VVD?

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Double Yellow- one game; would be 3 with straight red

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Heard it was a 2nd yellow. So 1.

      1. Neeskens Under Matip
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Probably would get rested for a game in the saints hectic schedule anyway, but the inevitable kneejerk will mean selling, sigh...

  5. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    2 points from Defense Alonso/Jones/McCauley- looks I am out of the cup

  6. JÆKS ⭐
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Should have done Lovren and Pickford to Ake and Valdes after all.

    (Would have played Ake instead of Holebas, benching Lovren now)

  7. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Capoue 10 pointer off the bench tomorrow anyone?

    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      No, standard Amat 0 pointer.

  8. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Is Walcott going to play for Arsenal? My rival has him.

    1. Hypnos
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Is

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        ?

    2. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      not called

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Very unlikely.

    4. SuperMario
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Nope

    5. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Doesn't look like it.

    6. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      No - out for this week.

    7. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      50-50

  9. Sonic Huth
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Choose
    1. Lallana + Lukaku
    2. Costa + a medium cost mid
    Pls answer

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      2

    2. soup natsi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      what's medium cost if not lallana?

    3. SuperMario
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      2 with Phillips

  10. soup natsi
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    35 from 9, hope San(C)hez delivers

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      he won't

      1. soup natsi
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        he might not even start

  11. Jay_
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso 0 Jones 0 (Amat (0) Holebas (?) Pieters (0)

    Could end up with - points from entire back 5

  12. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    17 from 6. Lallana, Sanchez Eriksen and Kane to go oh dear

  13. Rains of Castamere
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    33 from 7 thanks to Haz (c) and Matty Phillips

  14. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    22 from 7 so far

    Need Kevin of the Brown to pull me out of the shhhhit

  15. Viper
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Pickford, Siggy and Kane - > Grant, Philips and Aguero - 8

    (no back up keeper)

    No brainer yeah?

    1. soup natsi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      No

      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        What's wrong with it?

  16. Stimps
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Siggy to Philips now?

    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Guess so

  17. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Hi....any views on best option here please....

    A....kane and capoue to Kun and de roon for -4

    B....kane llorente and Hazard to Kun costa and stanislas for -8 to give the 3 big hitters upfront.

    Team is

    Heaton pickford
    Alonso cedric Jones Pieters amat
    Sanchez Hazard lallana zaha capoue
    Kane ibra llorente

    Thanks

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      A for me

  18. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    More of a general question here because I've never been fully clear on the rule here. If you slide in on a player after they've kicked the ball, studs up and connect with their leg, is that a foul?

    Bernardo slid in on Martial after Valdes had saved his shot with his studs up and took Tony out. Was just wondering if there could have been a fair call for a penalty.

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yes.

      Otherwise you'd be allow to decapitate players at will... which would be entertaining. Would be nice to take some shin home as a souvenir.

      1. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        This is what I thought, cheers 😀 Ibra captainers very unlucky then methinks!

        Also, commiserations on Arsenal's loss tomorrow 😉

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yes it's late and no contact on the ball.

      1. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        See, I always thought this, but I've very rarely seen it given after a shot is taken, hence the question as silly as it might seem.

    3. InSaneMan-e
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      If studs up and dangerous certainly a shout for a penalty

      1. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I thought so anyway, clear as day to me.

      2. Neeskens Under Matip
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Sometimes refs let it go if the striker gets off a good shot, but should be dishing out cards if it's a bad one. Probably should play advantage, and then offer a penalty?

        1. Somalion
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah they seem reluctant to do anything when it's a shot, I was screaming for a pen.

    4. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, an off the ball foul is still a foul.

      1. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        I just don't see them being given after a player shoots, to the point where I was doubting myself.

  19. Rolls-Royce
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    WBA no mug this season it seems.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Mugs for CS. 🙁

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Smug Phillips owner here 😎

        1. Business Cat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 6 months ago

          Even smugger Phillips-off-the-bench owner here 🙂

    2. SuperMario
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Interesting for sure..

      Wonder how Brunt played, fancy a def soon

  20. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    4 points in defence, not bad.

    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Jealous! I have 3

    2. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      2
      0-0-2-Bellerin

    3. sambyy
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I have 2

    4. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      1 from my 5 defenders combined.

    5. MicksMasterMike
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      0,0,0 Bellerin for me :/

  21. Knowledgeable meerkat
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Worked out this is the first GW in 3 seasons that I've not had a fit and available Aguero in my team

    Time to find out what it feels like

    1. Tangerine
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Get behind that sofa

  22. Mainoo Magic
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    29 from 9 pre baps, pretty bad but was on 9 at HT so will take it!

  23. teki0s
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    What are we doing with Jones? Worth keeping ?

    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Yes keep

    2. InSaneMan-e
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Certainly.
      He's rested. Now he starts

      1. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 6 months ago

        Rested. Brace incoming.

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Keep...only rested

  24. Speédy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    only a sanchez(c) 10 pointer can give me green

  25. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Average this week so far? Low 20s?

    1. Speédy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      24 on fantasyfootballfix

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      24 so far.

  26. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    43 if ake keeps his 2 baps with Alexis and probably capoue in for Walcott to go.
    No keeper playing either so good enough score.need a drab 1 all here with 2 own goals.

  27. Lav
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    31 from 7. Costa(c) Friend(1) off bench. Sanchez, Eriksen, Zaha left.

    Decent?

    1. O Fenomeno
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      I'd say that's decent for this scoring today. I have 27 Sanchez (c) and Firminio left.

  28. Budweiser
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Best Siggy replacement? Alli? Pogba? Lallana? Stanislas? Other?

    I already have Eriksen and Phillips. Thanks

  29. Rains of Castamere
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Tough call this week... my strikers are Ibra Kane Anichebe

    Would you do A or B with 3m ITB...

    A - Kane to Aguero (c) vs BUR
    B - Anichebe to Benteke vs SWA

    1. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Wait to watch tonight's game

      But currently I'd B the hell out of it

  30. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 6 months ago

    Haz, Siggy, Llorente > Phillips, Zaha, Kun

    How does that look?

    1. Teror
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 6 months ago

      Zaha is probably off to the African cup.