Dugout Discussion
14 January 2017 3043 comments
Mark Mark
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Saturday’s events conclude at the King Power Stadium, with champions Leicester City hosting potential champions elect Chelsea.

The pre-match chatter is dominated by the stories surrounding Diego Costa. Despite reports suggesting that the striker had been dropped as a result of a dispute and fall-out with the club, Antonio Conte has now offered the official line, blaming a back problem for Costa’s absence today….

“On Tuesday, Diego stopped training with a pain in his back and then in the week he didn’t train with us.”

It remains to be seen if there are further developments in the week, putting Costa’s future Gameweek starts in doubt. The Spaniard was sold by huge numbers overnight, with more than 400,000 Fantasy Premier League managers showing him the exit; over 378,000 of those transfers were in the last 24-hours.

Eden Hazard looks likely to lead the Chelsea attack in Costa’s absence, with Pedro and Willian flanking the Belgian.

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

  1. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    FINALLY have a selection headache; not scrambling to find 11 players. What would your bench order be? Currently on DCH

    A) Cedric (LEI)
    B) Bertrand (LIE)
    C) Friend (WHU)
    D) Rose (mci)
    E) Alli (mci)
    F) Philips (SUN)
    G) Stanislas (WAT)
    H) Anichebe (wba)

    1. Simon Says...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn't bench Rose. Would bench all defenders before him actually. With Anichebe as first sub.

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. It's a difficult one. Southampton at home could pay off, and if they don't play, Rose will come on. But that's shot me in the foot every week

        1. Simon Says...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Problem is Saints can't be trusted currently. Great fixtures havent worked out and Leicester are often good for a goal, especially away from home when they can counter more.

          1. Deulofail
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Good points. So you'd start Friend ahead of Saints full backs?

            1. Deulofail
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              I can make a switch to Brunt or Baines this week for free. I was just going to save for a week to judge the Saints situation better, and judge WBA & Everton's defences against lesser oppositions.

    2. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Not keen on double Saints

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Me neither, but they both played this week, so I can afford to wait a week rather than panic transfer out. If they don't play, I have cover

    3. Shultan
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldn't bench friend

      1. Shultan
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        ADH

    4. MikeDuff
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Ach

  2. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Did Giroud's injury look bad?

    1. Boydinho
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Injured when he scored in the 1st half and played on until 59th, i guess not that bad

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        gonna keep then. Thanks

  3. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Haz just can't help but drift deep when Chelsea have possession. Suspect he will need a counter attack to get on the scoresheet

    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      He usually play like this on away games. It's tactic, I guess.

      Only good counter-attack will give him a chance.

  4. Sailboats
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Who would you rather have? Rose or Alonso?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Rose

    2. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Both

      1. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        can only afford 1

    3. Simon Says...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Rose. And I own Alonso.

    4. Shultan
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Both idealy, but if i wouldn't sell one for the other

    5. Boydinho
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Rose suspension incoming with the card collection of his

    6. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Walker = Alonso > Rose

      Simply because of Rose's 8 Yellows

    7. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Rose

    8. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Alonso, but I agree both

    9. AA33
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Rose after GW 22

    10. Shultan
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Fellow Costa owners who didnt sell (for various reasons) what are you costa plans?
      Im thinking to just aborb the price drops & wait to see if he plays versus hull.
      Kane is tempting but he plays very deep agaisnt big teams away from home (am thinking of the utd game) so i reckon he'll blank & alli will score next

      1. Kitman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        No idea.

        Screwed over a bit as I can't upgrade to Kane (have 3 spurs already) and aguero too dear.

        I might seriously be looking at a 4-5-1 with Ibra upfront

        1. Shultan
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          I can do kane before tonight drop/rise will be priced out tomorrow but i just can't see kane doing well v city away.
          If chelsea did not have hull at home i would sell costa in a heartbeat

      2. MTPockets
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Probably sell for Defoe (with Aguero/Ibra).

        • Sif
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Waiting on news, hopefully just throwing his toys out of the pram and back for a great fixture.

        • Lawrø
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Waiting until further news. If it doesn't look like he'll play the plan's to switch to Lukaku. Kane could be great but I already have Alli and Eriksen so getting Kane would mean I can't get a Spurs defender and I'm probably over reliant on their games (especially with mci away as the next fixture)

      3. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        @Smarty Pants. I replied on page 6

      4. Lizard Lips
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        What was Musa doing? That's a tap in.

      5. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Did not watch the WHam game but did it look like the team had come together from this Payet nonsense or was the win down to Palace being horrific?

      6. My Name Is Prince
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Hazard owners, what are your thoughts? He got the assist, but he's not that threatening to be honest, often drops a deeper... Not worth the money imo when Eriksen/Alli are around... Plus the money saved, seems like a no-brainer really...

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          surely u would keep for Hull

        2. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Hull?

        3. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          He's got Hull at home next.

        4. Boydinho
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Spurs away at City and Chelsea home against Hull. I would wait a GW though.

        5. Debauchy
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Patience required , look again after game

          1. Debauchy
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            home to Hull next

        6. Jack Burton
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Hull next I think then request asses for me he needs to start getting double digits

          1. Jack Burton
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Reassess sorry

          2. My Name Is Prince
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            I don't think he's going to get many double digits though, that's the point...

            1. Jack Burton
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              To be honest I will probably get rid after hull see what happens with Costa also and if haz plays as a striker

        7. Differentiator
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Keep IMO

        8. My Name Is Prince
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah, after Hull I mean, thinking more long-term...

          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Of course you was 😉

            1. My Name Is Prince
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah, that's a no-brainer, really...

            2. My Name Is Prince
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              😉

        9. AA33
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Hazard has Hull
            Alli has Man City
            Wait for a GW

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

          I have 8.1 to spend on Carroll replacement - who should I go for?

          Other FWDs are Ibra and Giroud

          1. Sailboats
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            defoe

          2. Gregor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            What's up with Carroll?

          3. Simon Says...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Keep Carroll.

          4. Sergeant Garcia
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            I just bought Carroll!

          5. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Looked dangerous today

        11. ptr88
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          I will do:

          Costa -> Kane
          Ake -> Chambers
          Benteke -> Rondon or Negredo

          Which one do you prefer? Rondon has really good fixtures but Negredos fixtures is okey also.
          I have Phillips, but think WBA is better team then Middlesbrough.

        12. The Yorkshire Pirlo
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Wow I get rid of Alonso and he scores 🙁

          Please tell me Alonso out to afford Rose/Baines/Brunt backline was worth it?

          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            It wasn't.

            1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              In the long haul?

          2. Gregor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            That is a good back line.

          3. Kaneyonero
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Hindsight is pretty too

          4. JÆKS ⭐
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            I'm selling him after the Hull game, they don't look so great

          5. NATSTER
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            It should be worth.

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

          Gents, huge question...

          If somebody TC Costa this week and he obvs isnt playing.... What happens??
          His team doesnt show a VC or anything....

          1. Halftime
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Will go to VC

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

              you are correct, i missed it my bad

          2. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Link?

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                DDG

                1. Epic Fail
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 3 months ago

                  This

              2. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                I don't think your 'rival' is particularly bothered about the game by the looks of it.

                1. Epic Fail
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 3 months ago

                  Though he's doing well considering. I doubt he will continue up there unless he has some extreme luck or starts to take it seriously.

              3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                33k OR and they TC Costa away against Leicester on a SGW?

                1. Debauchy
                  • 13 Years
                  9 years, 3 months ago

                  Goodbye Delaney

          3. Clifford☯
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            not possible. check again

          4. Bouncebackability
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Possibly the goalie then if you can't immediately see it. Look again.

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

              your correct sir 🙂

        14. F4L
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          That Alonso goal is typical FPL. Have him for 7 weeks and he misses loads of chances, then becomes ultra clinical all of a sudden.

          1. Kaneyonero
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Every dog has its day

          2. Snevitz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            it's not like he kept getting 2 points for you though

          3. Fred54
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            So you got all those lovely points all those weeks and still sold him?!

          4. Shultan
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Why would sell when he has only had one blank in several weeks?

        15. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          So many lucky p***ks that only got Kane because of Costa

          1. Forza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah, how dare they get an in-form player in exchange for one that we suspected to be not starting!

          2. Cilly Bonnolly
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Don't be bitter mate. It's not a good look.

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              I'm watching Villa. It's rubbing off

          3. Shultan
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            His ownership is still low!

        16. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          would have been a Hazard assist 🙁

        17. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Pedro you waster

        18. Jebiga
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Costa and Ake to Aguero and Chambers/Friend for free ?

          foster, pickford
          jones, pva, love, amat, ake
          hazard, alexis, lallana, eriksen, philips
          ibrahimovic, costa, barnes

          2.3 in the bank
          2 FT

          1. MTPockets
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Yep

            • The Head-Ake
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Ake to Chambers alright but not Costa. Hes staying put and playing next match

          2. Clifford☯
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Hazard assist almost.

          3. Totally !rre!evant
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Chris Brunt injured today? Or just a tactical change?

            1. Simon Says...
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Tactical.

            2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              He was absolutely awful

          4. Shultan
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Im surprised by the number of alonso sellers!

            1. Differentiator
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Before today, 1 goal and 3 assists is hardly setting the world on fire for 6.5m

              1. Snevitz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                He has the highest points per game out of all defenders.......

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

                Bargain @ 5.5m if you caught the early train 😉

                Plus all those clean sheets add up!

                1. VS10_
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 3 months ago

                  Serie A fantasy?

              3. Jazz!
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                Clean sheets are so underrated.

              4. Goal Digger2016
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                How many clean sheets 10 plus maybe

              5. liiusions
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                What about him playing for the best defence in the league?

                1. Van der Faart
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 3 months ago

                  He doesn't play for Spurs

              6. Goal Digger2016
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                You are different tho..

              7. Shultan
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                How many other defenders gets CS, goals & assists...what more could you want?

          5. Davidinho
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Glenn Hoddle continuing to show he knows nothing about football. Clearly the free kick was rehearsed....

            1. Lizard Lips
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Exactly! Obviously Hazard was acting uninterested to throw defenders away from him but was more than alert.

              1. Davidinho
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                Too high level for old Hoddle

            2. Debauchy
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Not the greatest of scribes , was a great player though , respect !

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

                He's better at punditry than pop music!

          6. George James
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Hi guys what happened to Giroud today? Just been flagged.

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Injured when scoring.

            2. George James
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Cheers TM. Bad one?

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                Played about 20 minutes more.

          7. ryacoo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Is it worth bringing in Coutinho/Lallana at the moment?

            Swansea up next but quite likely to blank in GW26 & 28 as it stands and fixtures overall aren't great.

          8. My Name Is Prince
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Spurs to win the title this season, heard it here first mates! 😉

            1. MikeDuff
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Heard it 12 months ago

            2. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              I said this on here last week

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

              If they beat City next week, it's time to start believing.

              I hope they do it.

          9. F4L
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Giroud to Kane for free?

            1. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Not this week, for me.

              1. F4L
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                problem is I would be priced out of the move if I dont

            2. My Name Is Prince
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Did you just buy him for Costa?

              1. F4L
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                yep

          10. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Ake might come in handy so he can bank Alonso's cs after 60 min

            1. Greenbackbøøg…
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Not on the bench

              1. Ógie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                Sorry i thought he was i seen him but did not realize he was not in the squad

            2. NATSTER
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              He's not on bench.

            3. Numb
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Not even on the bench

          11. Gooner Kebab
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Costa to Kane feels silly with their fixture. But Costa could suffer a triple drop...

            1. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              Bring someone else in in the meanwhile if you have spare transfers and a decent team.

              1. Gooner Kebab
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                Ta, probably Defoe.

            2. MTPockets
                9 years, 3 months ago

                Unless they come out with something specific on Costa, think I'll shift. Not for Kane though.

            3. Jebiga
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              who is more nailded friend or chambers ?

              1. The Head-Ake
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                Chambers

            4. Kaneyonero
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 3 months ago

              It's now Half Time.

              1. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                Source?

                1. Kaneyonero
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 3 months ago

                  Owen

              2. Deulofail
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 3 months ago

                OMG