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, 23 days 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
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

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

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 23 days 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
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

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

            1. Deulofail
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

      Not keen on double Saints

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 23 days 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
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

      I wouldn't bench friend

      1. Shultan
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 23 days ago

        ADH

    4. MikeDuff
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

      Ach

  2. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 23 days ago

    Did Giroud's injury look bad?

    1. Boydinho
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

        gonna keep then. Thanks

  3. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

    Who would you rather have? Rose or Alonso?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

      Rose

    2. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

      Both

      1. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 23 days ago

        can only afford 1

    3. Simon Says...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

      Rose. And I own Alonso.

    4. Shultan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

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

    5. Boydinho
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

      Rose suspension incoming with the card collection of his

    6. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

      Walker = Alonso > Rose

      Simply because of Rose's 8 Yellows

    7. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

      Rose

    8. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 23 days ago

      Alonso, but I agree both

    9. AA33
        9 years, 23 days ago

        Rose after GW 22

    10. Shultan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days 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
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

          Probably sell for Defoe (with Aguero/Ibra).

        • Sif
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 23 days ago

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

        • Lawrø
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

        @Smarty Pants. I replied on page 6

      4. Lizard Lips
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 23 days ago

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

      5. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

          surely u would keep for Hull

        2. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 23 days ago

          Hull?

        3. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 23 days ago

          He's got Hull at home next.

        4. Boydinho
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 23 days ago

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

        5. Debauchy
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 23 days ago

          Patience required , look again after game

          1. Debauchy
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            home to Hull next

        6. Jack Burton
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

            Reassess sorry

          2. My Name Is Prince
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

          Keep IMO

        8. My Name Is Prince
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 23 days ago

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

          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Of course you was 😉

            1. My Name Is Prince
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

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

            2. My Name Is Prince
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              😉

        9. AA33
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Hazard has Hull
            Alli has Man City
            Wait for a GW

        10. LewanGOALski
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

            defoe

          2. Gregor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            What's up with Carroll?

          3. Simon Says...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Keep Carroll.

          4. Sergeant Garcia
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            I just bought Carroll!

          5. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Looked dangerous today

        11. ptr88
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

            It wasn't.

            1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              In the long haul?

          2. Gregor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            That is a good back line.

          3. Kaneyonero
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Hindsight is pretty too

          4. JÆKS ⭐
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

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

          5. NATSTER
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            It should be worth.

        13. SuperMario
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

            Will go to VC

            1. SuperMario
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              you are correct, i missed it my bad

          2. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Link?

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                DDG

                1. Epic Fail
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 23 days ago

                  This

              2. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

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

                1. Debauchy
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 23 days ago

                  Goodbye Delaney

          3. Clifford☯
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            not possible. check again

          4. Bouncebackability
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

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

            1. SuperMario
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              your correct sir 🙂

        14. F4L
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

            Every dog has its day

          2. Snevitz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

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

          3. Fred54
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

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

          4. Shultan
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

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

        15. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 23 days ago

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

          1. Forza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

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

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              I'm watching Villa. It's rubbing off

          3. Shultan
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            His ownership is still low!

        16. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 23 days ago

          would have been a Hazard assist 🙁

        17. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 23 days ago

          Pedro you waster

        18. Jebiga
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

              Yep

            • The Head-Ake
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

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

          2. Clifford☯
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Hazard assist almost.

          3. Totally !rre!evant
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Chris Brunt injured today? Or just a tactical change?

            1. Simon Says...
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              Tactical.

            2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              He was absolutely awful

          4. Shultan
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Im surprised by the number of alonso sellers!

            1. Differentiator
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

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

              2. Business Cat
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                Bargain @ 5.5m if you caught the early train 😉

                Plus all those clean sheets add up!

                1. VS10_
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 23 days ago

                  Serie A fantasy?

              3. Jazz!
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                Clean sheets are so underrated.

              4. Goal Digger2016
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                How many clean sheets 10 plus maybe

              5. liiusions
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

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

                1. Van der Faart
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 23 days ago

                  He doesn't play for Spurs

              6. Goal Digger2016
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                You are different tho..

              7. Shultan
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

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

          5. Davidinho
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

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

            1. Lizard Lips
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

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

              1. Davidinho
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                Too high level for old Hoddle

            2. Debauchy
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

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

              1. Business Cat
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                He's better at punditry than pop music!

          6. George James
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

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

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              Injured when scoring.

            2. George James
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              Cheers TM. Bad one?

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                Played about 20 minutes more.

          7. ryacoo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

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

            1. MikeDuff
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              Heard it 12 months ago

            2. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              I said this on here last week

            3. Business Cat
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

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

              I hope they do it.

          9. F4L
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

            Giroud to Kane for free?

            1. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              Not this week, for me.

              1. F4L
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

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

            2. My Name Is Prince
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              Did you just buy him for Costa?

              1. F4L
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                yep

          10. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

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

            1. Greenbackbøøg…
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              Not on the bench

              1. Ógie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 23 days 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, 23 days ago

              He's not on bench.

            3. Numb
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              Not even on the bench

          11. Gooner Kebab
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 23 days ago

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

            1. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

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

              1. Gooner Kebab
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                Ta, probably Defoe.

            2. MTPockets
                9 years, 23 days ago

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

            3. Jebiga
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              who is more nailded friend or chambers ?

              1. The Head-Ake
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                Chambers

            4. Kaneyonero
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 23 days ago

              It's now Half Time.

              1. Epic Fail
                • 15 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                Source?

                1. Kaneyonero
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 23 days ago

                  Owen

              2. Deulofail
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 23 days ago

                OMG