Dugout Discussion
1 February 2017 5225 comments
Paul Paul
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After a disappointing Tuesday evening, we’ve high hopes for the three remaining matches in Gameweek 23.

West Ham and Man City get us up and running at 7.45pm as the pair go head-to-head at the London Stadium.

The major news is that the fit-again Sergio Aguero is only named on the bench for City as Gabriel Jesus is afforded his first league start up top. Pep Guardiola also drops Claudio Bravo and hands Willy Caballero a chance between the posts.

With fixtures on their schedule in Gameweek 26 and 28, the in-form Hammers are of keen interest to Fantasy managers, with the likes of Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio offered the chance to stake a claim for our plans this evening. New signing Robert Snodgrass warms the bench, though Jose Fonte is fast-tracked into the first XI by Slaven Bilic.

Man United entertain Hull and Stoke welcome Everton to the bet365 in the pair of 8pm encounters.

With Alexis Sanchez managing just an assist against Watford and both Diego Costa and Harry Kane serving up blanks, the stage looks set for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to produce the goods at Old Trafford.

The United frontman was the top captaincy choice for Gameweek 23, with 22.9% handing him the armband at home to a Tigers outfit that have conceded more goals away from home than any other side.

Everton, meanwhile, have been subject to considerable investment on the back of five wins and a draw in the last seven rounds of fixtures.

Similar to West Ham, upcoming matches in Gameweek 26 and 28 boost the Toffees’ appeal, with many keeping an eye on Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku as we plan ahead to deal with the inevitable cup postponements.

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  1. villian-ty
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Grioud out for a 9.2 (-4)

    Yes or no

  2. Concrete
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Heaton Pickford
    Alonso Rose Baines Evans Amat
    Sanchez Eriksen Alli Phillips Allen
    Ibra Lukaku Llorente

    A - Rose to Walker (ML rivals have Walker / Spurs)
    B - Rose to Brunt
    C - save

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Brunt

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      b

  3. Dr Robotnik
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    So, are we expecting the DGW in 34 to only include Arsenal, Man United, Southampton, Man City? Then the DGW 37 to be all of the sides missing 28?

    With this in mind, surely the best option is to get 11 out in 28 from the 6 sides involved, wildcard GW 29, load up on the 4 teams with a double in 34 with half an eye on 37 too, use TC in 34 to supplement the 11 doublers, then you have 3 weeks to get up to 15 players to BB in 37? We look like having 14 teams to choose from in 37, so won't really need a wildcard to make 15.

    Any glaring issues with this tactic?

    1. foley_fd
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      This sounds logical but presumably things will change between now and then?

    2. Dr Robotnik
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      I was planning a late wildcard. Was completely set on it all season. But with the FA cup draw ruining things, I really see no benefit in holding onto it when there will be so many players to choose from.

    3. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      you're not guaranteed a DGW34 for any of those 4 teams - if any of them or their GW34 opponents make the Cup semis then it'll only be a single GW for them.

      1. Dr Robotnik
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Could you elaborate a bit more on this point for me please? You mean the semi final of the FA Cup? Would this be played during that week then? When would the fixture likely be played in that scenario?

        1. Pasqualinho
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 29 days ago

          Yes - games postponed by the EFL final/FA Cup QF are likely to be rescheduled for GW34, so a lot of teams will get 2 matches this week. But the FA Cup semi-finalists will lose the first of these as they need to play the SF. So there will be a lot of doublers in GW34 but, as yet, we don't know who. But I think your plan may still be ok regardless, as you will know the SF teams before your WC.

          1. Dr Robotnik
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 29 days ago

            Oh right, thanks. This is why I use this site. I would never have thought of this. So it's not necessarily the 4 GW 26 blankers who will have a double in 34. The other candidates are teams likely to progress to the FA cup quarter final. So who is likely playing doubles in 37? I'm getting really confused now. I thought 37 was the bigger DGW due to it being the sides missing 28?

            1. ryacoo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 29 days ago

              Ben Crellin (the spreadsheet creator) suggests there'll be a max of 4 teams in GW34, a max of 7 in GW37 + 1 or 2 DGWs in either 32, 33, 35 or 36.
              https://twitter.com/BenCrellin/status/826222282561507328

              1. Dr Robotnik
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 29 days ago

                So the GW 37 doubles are a hangover from 28? They are all mixed up with the 26 blanks. I assume we will know by GW29/30 who these will be and when they will be played?

            2. Pasqualinho
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 29 days ago

              Rule of thumb is that the losing FAQFs will have a DGW34, and the winning ones a DGW37. This is also complicated by the 4 teams who already have a game postponed due to the EFL Final. It'll be much clearer after GW28, though - and all games will probably be rescheduled by GW30/31, so you should have complete clarity then.

              1. Dr Robotnik
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 29 days ago

                Thanks for clearing this up. I think I will carry out my plan to WC GW30 then

    4. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      I agree but I think you could wait until GW30 to use the WC, and maybe just bring Sanchez or Ibra back in with the FT in GW29. Reason being that lots of the teams that will be in our teams will have good fixtures that week: Everton have HUL, West Ham have LEI, Bournemouth have SWA, etc.

      1. Dr Robotnik
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Thanks for this. Very good point.

  4. mad_beer ✅
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Heaton, Grant
    Jones, Walker, Monreal, Smith, Barragan
    Phillips, Eriksen, Antonio, Sanchez, Romeu
    Rondon, Kane, Lukaku

    1FT and 1.8 ITB.

    Knowing the possible blanks, would you hold this week?

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      I'd get Coleman or brunt

    2. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Save

  5. villian-ty
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Grioud out for a 9.2 (-4)

    Yes or no

    or save it

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Yes, he won't start will he?

    2. Tomcooper9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Who are your other strikers and possible options to bring in? I would probably say yes though as Giroud may no be guaranteed of a start and blanks GW 26 and 28. I did Giroud to Lukaku last night.

  6. foley_fd
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Bottomed.

    What do you think about this?

    OUT - Allen, Giroud
    IN - Davies, Jesus

    1. mad_beer ✅
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Could end in tears if Jesus doesn't start.

      1. foley_fd
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Fair point.

        Can't afford Lukaku.

        Will he really bench Jesus after last night?

        1. mad_beer ✅
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 29 days ago

          Starting the kid 3 games in one week isn't likely. Kun to start this weekend.

          1. foley_fd
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 29 days ago

            Is it really either or?

            1. Cruz88
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 29 days ago

              No Pep has said he can play both with Jesus on the left

          2. FantaCity
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 29 days ago

            Why not? He's young, and fresh having only just started matches

    2. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Yes

    3. FantaCity
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Just answered - yes, I'm considering the same moves for the short term. Davies looked a threat, so not just a cheap enabler

      1. foley_fd
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Thanks.

        Am concerned about Jesus not starting though.

        1. FantaCity
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 29 days ago

          Pep bought him for mega bucks, he scores and assists on his full debut, Pep doesn't rate Aguero .... there's always a risk, but I think he'll play him

          1. foley_fd
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 29 days ago

            Thanks.

            This is a bit of a punt.

            I don't generally like punts!

            1. FantaCity
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 29 days ago

              Agreed. Best line up a way to get Lukaku in ahead of GW 28

    4. Tomcooper9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Jesus definitely a playing time risk with Peps rotation policy

      1. foley_fd
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Agreed.

        Biggest issue I have is I can't afford Lukaku, and Giroud has to go!

  7. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Did Schneiderlin start last night? Or already on the bench?

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Yes 90mins, just checked...

    2. foley_fd
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Started

    3. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      When is Gueye back? Likely to affect Tom Davies place?

      Or has Barry been dropped??

  8. Tomcooper9
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Thoughts on Lallana? Worth holding one more week with Hull up next or transfer out for Siggy/Antonio?

    1. Reiko
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      I m holding for 1 more week. With Mane back, maybe Liverpool may get their flair back. They did not look all that bad against Chelsea in their last game.

      1. Tomcooper9
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Yeah thinking the same, one more week then will probably get rid if he does nothing.

        1. Reiko
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 29 days ago

          Can get Siggy then

  9. Karan_G14
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    How do these transfers look for free?

    Out: Giroud & Chambers

    In: Carroll & Coleman

    Keeping Rose this week will probably do Rose to Baines next week.

    Appreciate your thoughts!

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Looks Good if Carroll doesn't break again

      1. Karan_G14
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        I can afford Benteke?

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 29 days ago

          He may blank 28 but yeah has a compelling case to get him too.Palace has good fixtures line up.PVA Zaha supplying he may come good .
          Toss of A Coin really
          I like Benteke

          1. Karan_G14
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 29 days ago

            Now I'm tilting towards Benteke

            1. Phil Dagger ⭐
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 29 days ago

              He has pens too 😛
              Both are good options you just have to decide one and stick with it and also Look at the money saved between Benteke and Carroll if that has any effect on your future decisions.
              I like Benteke as I had him and he did well for me. You decide yours 😉

  10. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Heaton - Robinson
    Alonso - Coleman - Baines - Brunt (Jones)
    Alexis - Eriksen - Pogba (Stan, Roon)
    Ibra - Giro - Carroll

    2FTs. 1.3 ITB.

    Giro > Lukaku and save FT? Or get rid of Ibra for Kane too?

    .1 short of Pog > Alli.

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Yea the first one

    2. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Lukaku and Save other FT

  11. Phil Dagger ⭐
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Which players do you prefer to have in your team out of these pairs

    A) Brunt or Phillips
    B) Kane or Costa
    C) Eriksen or Siggy

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      BKE

      1. v12w12
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        PKE

    2. UnitedFan
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Brunt
      Costa
      Eriksen, though I'm a happy Siggy owner too

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Costa is a bit 'meh'. Yes he is consistent but that's about it. Not a captain option because he isn't explosive. Kane much better in that regard.

    3. Karan_G14
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Brunt - because he gets attacking and clean sheet points.

      Costa - because he his mich more consistent and has a run of good fixtures.

      Eriksen - for now but maybe get Siggy for him near the GW28 blank as you already have Alli.

    4. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Brunt
      Kane
      Siggy ( if you have Alli)

    5. Al Bundy
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Brunt
      Kane
      Eriksen

    6. Arn De Gothia
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      b
      c
      k

      1. Arn De Gothia
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        *k=eriksen 🙂

    7. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Thanks Lads 😀

  12. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    One of my worst game weeks in a long time 29 points on the board, the season started so well..

    1. UnitedFan
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      My season started so badly but got 52 this GW. Tables are turning

  13. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    What to do with 2FT & 0.5itb
    maybe coleman or baines for Koscielny

    Heaton
    Koscielny / Brunt / Luiz
    Lallana / Alli / Sanchez / Phillips
    Ibra / Defoe / Kane

    Bench: Jaku, Yoshida, Barry, Love

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Coleman

  14. Reiko
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    After the failure of owning 3 Spurs assets last GW, is it advisable to consider owning 3 Everton assets for the coming GWs?

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      If doubling up with a Ines and Coleman with Lukaku...maybe just

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Everton 3-0

    3. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Ahmm Yes

    4. Karan_G14
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      If you owned 3 Spurs this week it was a failure but if you have them since 3-4 weeks you would have been doing pretty good.

      It is still advisable to have 3 Spurs imo. And yes Everton too.

  15. Concrete
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Missed out Coleman above

    Cheers for reply Phil...

    Rose to

    Brunt
    Walker
    Coleman

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Coleman

      1. Concrete
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Cheers

  16. MallettMan
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    help. Rubbish Week with 31 points

    Cech
    Walker Azpi Baines (Love Amat)
    Alli Sanchez Stani Phillips (Carroll)
    Costa Ibra Defoe

    0.6 ITB and 1 FT

    change up of subs? any help would be great cheers

  17. Assisting the assister
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Anyone doing Fantasy Six Nations Rugby....what's the main game....RBS, ESPN, Superbru....bit confused.

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Not sure which main/most popular one is but I have always done ESPN one

  18. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    How did Zlatan look last night?

    Is he starting to get tired, with no winter break?

    1. Ephurion
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Looked good. One handsome swede right there.

      Ran just about as much as usual. Should've had an assist (Mata missed a sitter).

      1. Ephurion
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Failing to convert is worrying, though

  19. RohanVaswani
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Who to Captain?

    Alli
    Kane
    Kaku

    1. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Kane

    2. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      B

  20. mojoindojo
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Play one
    A. Alonso
    B. Luiz
    C. Pieters

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      A

    2. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      A

    3. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      B

    4. mojoindojo
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Cheers!

  21. HammersFan
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Had enough of bournemouth assets even if they don't blank.

    Daniels to brunt and bench Stan

    Or

    Stan to Zaha

    Thoughts?

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Brunt

    2. Ephurion
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Brunt gonna play at home this weekend 😉

    3. Hasselbaink Forever
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Brunt

  22. The Left Duke #3
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Didn't fancy doing any early transfers last night as needed time to reassess the Kun/Jones situations.....and couldn't hack looking at my 29 pt GW score any longer.

    Currently have 2 FT and 1.5m ITB and no idea what to do with them. Any thoughts lads as i'm stumped.

    Foster Jaku
    Jones* Williams Alonso Holebas Amat*
    Sanchez Alli Eriksen Phillips Stanislas
    Ibra Aguero* Diomande*

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Holebas to Coleman
      Jones to Brunt

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Jones has to go alright given his blank in 26 and potential injury. Should I rid Amat before Holebas though as Amat is not starting and Holebas is back from suspension?

  23. _Gunner
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Which is better?

    A- Aguero + Giroud + Jones > Kane + Lukaku + Baines (-4)

    B- Giroud + Jones + Cech > Lukaku + Baines + Randolph (-4)

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      A

    2. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      A for me

    3. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      A for me

  24. v12w12
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    To ship/ To bring in -

    A: Aguero
    B: Ibra

    1: Kane
    2: Lukaku

    Cheers

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      B

      2

      1. Kane Train
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        A 1 for sure

      2. v12w12
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 29 days ago

        Cheers

  25. Chip Butty
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Lukaku or Kane for Giroud?

    Bearing in mind
    A) Teams above/below me in mini-league have Lukaku. Kane as differential?
    B) Possible blank gw for Kane

    Zlatan and Negredo other strikers. Going with Lukaku would mean could upgrade Negredo...

    1. v12w12
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Having the same dilemma. Had been planning Kane for a while but now thinking Lukaku. Sorry not much help!

    2. Ephurion
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Depends on how ready your team are for the blanks I think.

      I'd say Kane should outscore Lukaku over the next 4 GW's, but unless you captain him and have the team ready for the blanks it's not worth an additional FT and a -4.

  26. The Man Pastore
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    What would you do with this team? Should i save FT?

    Heaton l Pickford
    Alonso l Baines l PVA l Friend l Amat
    Sanchez l Lallana l Alli l Phillips l De Roon
    Kane l Ibra l Lukaku

    1FT / 0.0ITB

    1. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Save

    2. foley_fd
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Save

  27. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    My GW 28 team plan. What do you reckon? 9 players playing, but two of them are bench fodder (Holgate and Carroll) anyway.

    Jaku
    Brunt - Baines - Holgate
    Phillips - Sigurdsson - Carroll - (Eriksen)
    Rondon - Lukaku - (Ibra)

    Hennessey - Mustafi - Luiz - Sanchez

  28. St. Joseph
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Heaton Jaku
    Azpi Brunt Pieters Friend* Holgate
    Sanchez Alli Lallana Phillips Stanislas
    Kun Kane Barnes

    1 FT
    Azpi ---> Walker?
    How long Friends injury gonna take? Any news on him?

  29. Polster
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Update on Phil Jones?

    1. The Left Duke #3
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Unsure....still can't get over the 1 pt and 54 min sub 🙁

  30. Jazz!
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 29 days ago

    Ibra or Kaku for the armband?

    1. Sjaugen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 29 days ago

      Bournemonth looks in disarray, but Ibra