Dugout Discussion
5 February 2017 1712 comments
Paul Paul
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We make our way to the Etihad in the first of two Sunday fixtures now as Manchester City entertain a resurgent Swansea City in the 1.30pm kick-off.

All eyes are on new boy Gabriel Jesus, who is handed his first home start by Pep Guardiola after bagging a goal and assist in the midweek demolition of West Ham United.

The Brazilian was the most transferred in player for Gameweek 24, with 192,298 Fantasy Premier League managers scrambling for his services.

Sergio Aguero is benched yet again, with his 19% FPL owners now desperately seeking alternatives. Pep also keeps faith in Willy Caballero after City grabbed a first clean sheet in five on Wednesday.

The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, with goals in back-to-back Gameweeks, Raheem Sterling (a goal or assist in six of the last eight) and Leroy Sane (three goals and an assist in four appearances in all competitions) are also in fine form, yet City’s blank Gameweek 26 and potential blank Gameweek 28 has curbed our short-term enthusiasm.

Swansea, meanwhile, roll up on the back of three wins in four, with Gylfi Sigurdsson returning to form with two goals and a pair of assists over that period.

At present, Paul Clement’s men are one of just six sides that will definitely play in both Gameweek 26 and 28.

While Siggy is the obvious pick, Fernando Llorente (seven goals in 11 Gameweeks) and the budget defender Alfie Mawson, with two goals in four, are also on our radars as we look to navigate the upcoming blanks.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. Bow Locks
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Logged on looking for Jesus gags; disappointed by quality.

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      OMG Son

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

      How does Jesus make a cup of tea?

      Hebrews it

      (any better?)

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        😛

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

      What kind of car does Jesus drive?

      A Christler

      (ouch)

  2. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Poor Sterling can't figure out if he should fall or stay up anymore

    1. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      This

  3. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Mike Dean is one useless idiot

    1. GreatCarragherReef
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      why, correct decision

      1. Syd.
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        It wasn't a dive he was trying to avoid getting his leg broke

  4. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Well done Mike Dean credit where credit is due

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

    Velma YC

    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Games gone a bit scrappy as well

  6. Tansey
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Wht does Mike Dean feel he needs to leave his mark on every game he officiates

  7. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    LOL @ Sterling's dive

  8. Netley Lucas
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Mike Dean books Sterling now for diving...

  9. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Does Brighton have any big talents to watch out for next season?

    Zamora spawned?

    1. Lovren an elevator
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I think Knockhaert

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Oh is he in Brighton now. I quite like him.

        1. Lovren an elevator
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Last couple of seasons I believe. Seems the highest scorer and assisted out of all their mids.
          Same with Ritchie at Newcastle

          1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            I've only seen him in Leicester in the championship and were quite impressed by him there, always wondered where he went.

            1. Lovren an elevator
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              I guess it's just whether he can make the step up to the premiership then! Maybe Leicester felt he couldn't

              1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 2 months ago

                I do hope he will give it a try, Brighton allowing of course

                1. Lovren an elevator
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 2 months ago

                  If they promote, which I hope they do, they will need to improve other positions before his, like full-backs, striker, maybe def-mid. So hopefully he'll be nailed still! Young enough to still get better aswell. Maybe try and check him out today at 3!
                  I still think Ritchie is the one to look out for if Newcastle promote, which I'm sure they will aswell!

                2. Lovren an elevator
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 2 months ago

                  Just looked him up. 15 Goals and 7 assists in 44 appearances.
                  Ritchie with 8 Goals and 6 assists in 25 appearances. But he got 4 Goals and 6 assists last season in the premiership for Bournemouth.
                  Relatively good stats for both but maybe not anything to get too excited about?

                  1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
                    • 12 Years
                    9 years, 2 months ago

                    I think both Newcastle and Brighton will go straight up without play off.
                    Knockaert could be a cheap 4th or possibly a 5th.
                    I'll try and catch a few games.

                    1. Lovren an elevator
                      • 10 Years
                      9 years, 2 months ago

                      I'm sure we'll get articles on here detailing the best picks of the promoted teams.
                      I'm certainly not keen on any strikers this season, especially after Gray being so sensational last season and not really stepping up well this season

                    2. Lovren an elevator
                      • 10 Years
                      9 years, 2 months ago

                      Knockhaert got 2 assists today by the way mate 😉

  10. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling is a diver no lie. But there was contact there I think...but he in particular wouldn't get that call.

    1. Ravager
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      He worked to avoid the contact. If he takes it on fully then he gets injured with Fabianski's and his momentum.

    2. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think he was even asking for a pen

      1. Ravager
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Exactly. Saw he wasn't getting there but that Fab's leg was coming at him.

  11. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling booked for avoiding contact

  12. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    God. This is going to be one of those games. Early goal and nothing else

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      More likely that Swansea get tired and lots more goals in the second half. Even in the Everton game yesterday most goals came after 60 minutes had been played.

  13. twoplustwo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    That was a terrible lunge by Fab

  14. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Might sound like madness but thinking of losing Alexis/Ibra this week.

    1. Ravager
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Wow. same here lol. I was going to ask which one posters here think I should lose.

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

      I lost Alexis last week, maybe Ibra this if another poor showing

    3. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      For who?

    4. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't lose Alexis

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Easy to get back when needed.

    5. Old Bull
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Me mad too
      I'm a teapot I'm a teapot

    6. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Arsenal are as pathetic as Liverpool are and City had been

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

      I think a lot of people will be considering it

      1. Old Bull
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        This afternoon will decide it

    8. vectorman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Depends how much dismantling of your side it will take to bring them back in I guess. I've worked out a way to get in 8 for GW28 without taking them out though I'll likely will bin Ibra.

  15. OldSchool
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Snoddy or Antonio?

    1. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Snoddy for me

    2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Snoddy....

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

      Why? I didn't see the match. Was he threatening? More forward? Stats for both were pretty meh.

  16. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Is Sterling the worst diver in the league?

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Wasn't a dive though.

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Yes it was

    2. makaveli123
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Ashley Young can't compete when he is not playing

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

      No.

      It goes:

      Alli, Kane, Son, Rose, Eriksen, Dembele, Walker, Toby, Dier, Vertongen, Wanyama, then Sterling.

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

        And youre not biased 😉

      2. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Alli is up there but he has a lot better diving technique that Sterling does

      3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Mmmmm

      4. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        You forgot Spurs keeper - surely he's the worse diver of them all?

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

          Worse than Claudio Bravo? 😉

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Good call 🙂

    4. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Must constantly disappoint his lass when he goes down on her.

    5. Ligdon
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Almost gets a yc every two games for it

      1. Ravager
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Which doesn't mean that they're all dives. His reputation is influencing refs to think that every time he goes down is simulation.

    6. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Him or young

  17. Flycroft
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    mike dean is an idiot

    1. Ephurion
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Looked like the sideline referee made the decision.

  18. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Swansea will be pleased with this so far.

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Oh yeah, should be 4 or 5 by now.

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Imagine if kun was on the pitch

  19. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Mike Dick

    1. makaveli123
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Haha, funny

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

      Simple

      Effective

    3. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Mike Hunt

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Hehe apt

  20. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    John Moss and Mike Dean are two of the worst referees in the PL. They are too stubborn to be referees - can't admit they are wrong.

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling went passed Fabianski then fell down in theatrical fashion a few seconds later.

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I thought Dean had a good half what did he do wrong?

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

      Mike Dean is arrogant and wants to be the centre of attention.

      I think Jon Moss is just genuinely incompetent. He looks like the sort of bloke who still gets pack lunches from his mum.

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Again what had Mike done wrong in this game?

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

          He's been alright in this one. I agree.

          Probably the worst referee in the league this season however.

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      He is actually Phil Dowd bad.

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

      Pretty much all the current PL refs are crap tbf

      1. Ephurion
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        They're better then the players, though.

  21. Legomane
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    45 mins for Sergio to stake his claim?

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      No - 25 min cameo.

      1. Legomane
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Pep too stubborn....

  22. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this team? Playing differential game as well as focusing on the blanks:

    Heaton (Jakupovic)
    Alonso Coleman Baines Brunt (Yoshida)
    Sanchez Hazard Alli (Fraser, De Roon)
    Kane Lukaku Jesus
    0.0 in the bank

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

  23. Top 210 Club
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Break both his legs come on SWA!

  24. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    HAPPY BDAY TO MY BROTHER MIKE DEAN, MIKE YOU’RE ONE OF THE GREATEST LIVING MUSICIANS IF NOT THE GREATEST

    https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/572225445325873154

  25. Sess!
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone manage to slip laxatives in Ibra's Weetabix?

    1. Top 210 Club
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      lol

    2. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Ibra doesn't get diarrhea, diarrhea gets Ibra

      1. Top 210 Club
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        This is actually true

    3. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Zlatan only eats the souls of nonbelievers.

  26. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Jamie Carragher : "Gayzues is there to finish it"

    Lol

  27. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone know the latest on Phil Jones' injury?

  28. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Imagine Ibra scored 5 today

  29. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    David Silva is still the best player in that team.

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Soon to be Sane/Jesus.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      He's a joy to watch.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Always said he should have been in that Barca team with Xavi, Inniesta and Messi. Perfect fit.

  30. itwaswritten
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Just saw the result and Jesus scored again. Ahhh, the foreign excellence!!! Foreign players always win!

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      It's not the result.

      1. itwaswritten
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        *current result

        1. itwaswritten
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          I thought it was obvious that it wasn't the final result.