Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Sunderland vs Manchester United

The first of two Sunday fixtures gets underway at 1.30pm this afternoon as Sunderland welcome Manchester United to the Stadium of Light.

The most popular captaincy choice for Gameweek 32, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been handed the armband by 15.7% of Fantasy Premier League managers ahead of a visit to the basement-dwellers.

Encouragingly for his owners, the veteran delivered his highest haul of the season against the Black Cats, with a goal and two assists helping him to 15 points back in Gameweek 18.

With eight fixtures remaining in the final six Gameweeks, including a double Gameweek 34, the likes of Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan can play their way into our plans for the run-in today.

Those holding the hosts’ Jermain Defoe will be buoyed by the absence of David de Gea, who misses out for the first time this term with “a little problem, according to his manager.

Meanwhile, Antonio Valencia’s 17% owners are left frustrated yet again, as the Ecuadorian is omitted from the squad for the second match in succession.

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

1,534 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Larsson 0% ownership according to fplstatistics

    1. BRFC1883
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Will be even less now he's suspended

  2. PvA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    You have 5.9m to pick any defender that isn't Alonso or Valencia - who is it?

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yoshi 😀

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        And him

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Bertrand

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Good shout, but dodgy fixtures and I have Yoshida

    3. Mic
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Vert

    4. Jigger & Pony
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yoshida or Cedric

    5. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Davies/Vert/Mustafi ?

    6. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Vert

    7. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Both neville and redknapp say was a yellow.

      1. Sess!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Reply fail

    8. BALOOO
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Vertonghen if you are not tripling up on Spurs attack.

    9. WVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Mustafi all day

  3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    anyone with a vine of that goal?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Vine was put down a couple of years ago mate.

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Here, have streamable instead: https://streamable.com/6tnjp

      2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        🙂 had no idea...

        Well any sort of video will do

        1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Great. Thanks TC.

    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Does vine still exist?

    3. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      found this video on youtube:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFToeVbGSfs

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.
        Doesn't work on my tablet though.
        I'll look around for it

  4. SirStevieG
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    ffs this second half as a non Ibra owner is going to be painful isn't it.

    1. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yep although utd don't really hammer teams.

      1. Jazz!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        This, I'll get my Pickford mega haul 😀

      2. InSaneMan-e
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        This
        In previous years they would go to hammer the opposition 3/4-0
        Now, maybe 1 more and then play awful boring negative football

    2. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Hoping for a penalty miss and red card 😎

    3. BALOOO
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I have 2 couches ready, 1 isnt enough 😛

  5. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    People criticised Taylor for the Coleman injury. Well, punishing tackles like this is the way you stop injuries like that from happening. You punish the recklessness, not the contact.

    1. Mic
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      This

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Non-contact sport then.

      1. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        No there would still be contact, just not reckless contact.

      2. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        No issue with contact but studs showing a no no.

        But this needs to continue to be the case.

        I happen to glancr glimpses of swindon v mewcastle yesterday and a swindon playergot away with a more blatant studs showing tackle.

        Sruds showing tackle needs to be outlawed no questions asked!!

        1. Team Bobcat
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I need to read my replies... few spelling errors.

    3. Ravager
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Exactly this.

    4. Venom Snake
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Well said

    5. Page 302
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Agree. Also, why do people say, 'he won the ball'? He didn't, he overran the ball and slid in behind it. Just reckless.

    6. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Agree 100%

      Only worry is the larrson didn't seem to think so.

      His reminiscing warrants punishing also

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        "Ahhh....remember when I used to score those free kicks...those were the days!"

      2. Oi! Shadders!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        "Memory,
        All alone in the moonlight..."

    7. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yes but this one was not reckless, it was awkward and unfortunate. Larsson stepped on the ball and it bounced his foot up towards Herrera that was not even close to the ball when the tackle happened.

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I wouldn't call that one awkward.

        Reckless absolutely

    8. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Exactly

  6. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    To get Kane unfortunately I think Eriksen will have to go. If I go Vardy to Kane and Eriksen to Zaha on 2 frees this week can then get in Zlatan for Lukaku in week 34 for double. If take out BDavies not affordable.

    Is this good plan? Alternative is BDavies to Holgate but cannot then get Zlatan without hit or so

    Pickford Jakupovic
    Alonso Valencia BDavies Mawson Yoshida
    Sanchez Hazard Alli King Eriksen
    Lukaku Vardy Origi

    1. Mic
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds best way

  7. PvA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    When is PVA expected back?

    1. Mic
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Have had him for so long through all this. Hoping for Leicester..

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      next gameweek

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      In next 2 weeks

  8. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    That's a wee bit harsh, and I'm not normally in favour of any move by referees that discourages big tackles, but with respect to that kind of studs up over the top challenge in particular I do think players need more protection than they've been given this season.
    Thinking of a number of tackles from United players, Bale on O'Shea, Taylor on Coleman and Barkley (?) on Lovren.

    1. Brap.
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      And Barkley on Emre Can wasn't even a yellow...

      1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        That game was daft, I've no problem with a bit of bite but the ref was seriously lucky nobody got badly hurt.

        Couldn't believe the tackles Everton players were making after their teammate's career was potentially ended by a similar tackle a week previous.

    2. Mic
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      So Herrera doesnt need protection? Was too dangerous, has to go. And im a neutral/non Ibra owner

      1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I think you misread.

        1. Mic
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          "Thats a wee bit harsh ... need more protection"

          Contradictory

          1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Apologies if I was unclear. I'm saying that although that's not the worst tackle you'll see, it's of a variety that has gone woefully under-penalised this season. Fully agree with the decision.

            1. Mic
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Oh my bad! Yeah i agree and feel strongly about it if you hadnt realised

              1. Mic
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                🙂

              2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Haha I got that alright.
                If there's anything to feel strongly about in the game it's tackles like that, at the end of the day winning one tackle surely isn't worth jeopardising a fellow player's career.

  9. Jay_
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Well done to those who resisted Vardy to Kun and just got Ibra. Well set for the run in now. Also saved 4 points/FT in the grand scheme of things.

      1. Jazz!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Let's see what the Vardy holders feel like later today. 🙂

        1. Jay_
            7 years, 1 month ago

            I did Davies, Vardy > Holgate, Kun. Could have just done Vardy to Ibra. If Vardy bust that Holgate cleanie, I'll be sick

            1. Jazz!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              I did Firmino to Sane ( 🙁 )

              Held off on doing Vardy to Ibra with the other ft. Hoping Vardy repays the faith here.

              Negredo 🙁

        2. Ryan Naysmith
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Yes hopefully another goal

      2. gorilla
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        rashfors should replace ibra at half time

      3. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Poor Sunderland

        Arguably should have had a penalty then they get a man sent off

        If those decisions had gone against United Mourhino would have exploded

      4. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Who to lose first? Also have Alonso and Gibson who are going nowhere.
        A) Valencia
        B) Walker
        C) Amat to cope with those blanks

        1. gorilla
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          c

        2. the snazzy viking
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Amat

      5. c10™️ ⚽
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        What is the advantage of using WC at GW37?? if your team is suffering since 3GameWeeks??

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I would use it in 35, but in 37 you can have every single player in that DGW although you miss the So'ton vs Arsenal DGW

          1. Ravager
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            This has been my plight. Been wondering if I should WC my team. Been bang average for the past 3 weeks but I personally know the benefit of saving before the big DGW....

        2. Iceball
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Rather WC 35 or 36 so can field 15 DGWplayers (or almost) and use BB37

      6. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Someone answer pleaseeee lol

        Henessey
        Yoshida - Valencia - Alonso
        Sanchez - Alli - Pedro - Eriksen
        Costa - Kaku - Origi
        ( Jak - Gibson - Fletcher - Holgate) 1 FT and 1.9 ITB

        Perfect? Is the bench fine? Any changes that I should be making in the near future? Thanks!

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Costa -> Kane?

        2. T444
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Change all your strikers and sanchez for

          Vardy ibra aguero and Walcott

          1. The Head-Ake
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Wcing in 35

            1. The Head-Ake
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              So shuld I do the Kane move?

        3. Business Cat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Pedro...meh. Walcott maybe a better shout.

          Possibly move Sanchez down to Hazard allowing Costa to Kane?

          Origi is poor too.

          All this requires surgery though 🙂

          1. Business Cat
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            In fact, just Costa to Kane...cut to the chase 😀

            1. The Head-Ake
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Aight thanks guys. Doing Costa to Kane

      7. Pariße
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Just watched the replays with pausing, a very soft red to say at least. Larsson had the ball closer to his feet, Herrera was way back and it was hardly even a tackle, more of an awkward touch of the ball that bounced his foot upwards towards Herrera dangerously. A yellow card would've sufficed.

        1. gorilla
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          right decision you cant make a challenge like that

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            The fact that there is a debate tells you it is not a red card. When there is a red then everyone knows it is a red.

            1. Mic
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Nonsense

            2. Jazz!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              There is a debate over every single red card

              1. Now I'm Panicking
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                No there isn't

              2. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Sorry Jazz but you're wrong.
                I've never heard a debate about a Clattermole red card, never.

              3. diesel001
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                No debate over Taylor on Coleman.

              4. Jazz!
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Ok maybe an exaggeration 😛

            3. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              No. Not really.

            4. Ravager
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Lol. That logic...

        2. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          It was a poor decision but when you are down and out everything goes against you

        3. Venom Snake
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          So only if he breaks his leg the red would then suffice?

          1. Pariße
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            He was not even close to breaking anything, his own ankle maybe, when he stepped on the ball like that.

            1. Venom Snake
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Read above as it was said spot on.

              You don't punish the contact, you punish the recklessness of the challenge.

              1. Pariße
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Sure, I argued it wasn't reckless, rather unfortunate, because his foot bounced off the ball when he stepped on it.

        4. Numb
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, not really a red

        5. Mic
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Lots of force behind a studs up foot. Straight off

          1. km79
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Phil Neville now thinks it was an orange card ............straight red . After all the furore over Neil Taylor's tackle I'm suprised there is even any debate. Does a players leh have to be broken for people to accept these type of tackles are extremely dangerous ?

        6. Team Bobcat
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Studs showing ball or no ball, player in the vicinity RED card.

          Even with zero contact.

          No qualms about it.

      8. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Jamie Redknapp and Phil Neville say it is a YC too.

        1. Sess!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Exactly

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Phil Neville is the guy who loves Sunderland yeah? Not that guy who played for Man Utd for years with his brother Gary? He must be massively pro-Sunderland right.

        2. Fitzy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Make sure you let us know if you hear any pundits that think differently to you.

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            I will. But heard none on radio or TV which shows how poor a decision it is by the ref.

            1. km79
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Phil Neville now says it's an orange card

      9. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Even daft wee Phil Neville didn't think it was a red.

        1. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          There's noone dafter than that wee critter

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            No Sir, I don't think there is 😆

            1. Syd.
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              He bet his life on another goal being scored in a match the other week but unfortunately he hasn't paid up yet

              1. Venom Snake
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                😆

      10. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Sanchez, Vardy > Haz, Kane

        No brainer?

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Sanchez has got Boro, hold.

        2. Our Man Charlie
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          wait till after monday game

      11. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Next week would Siggy & Vardy > Ibra & Zaha (-4) be a good move?

        1. Ben the Mee
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Solid

          • BALOOO
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            The exact move im planning to do!

        2. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          If you go into a tackle out of control and over the top is it a red or yellow regardless of you making contact?

          1. sully29
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            The real issue here is that it probably depends on the ref.

            Either you punish these tackles and protect the players or let them go an accept that nasty injuries will happen.

            If Sunderland have a complaint here (and I think they do) it's not that the red was unfair but more that the inconsistency in how those tackles are punished is unfair. On another day the ref would have given a yellow.

          2. Mic
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Studs/two footed with force is red because of the danger, leg breaks etc, sometimes even given with minimal - no contact.

        3. PvA
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          1. Who scores more?

          A) Eriksen, Zaha, PVA
          B) Tadic, Negredo, Walker

          2. Would you take a -8 to get A?

          1. Syd.
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            A

          2. the snazzy viking
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            A but not for an 8 point hit. For short term maybe Eriksen/Alli, Zaha and Trippier, although Davies could be safer

            1. PvA
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Can't do that... I have Alli and want to go to 352 asap

        4. dmhomag
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          This really gets me. Larsson lunged in two footed, feet off the ground into an opponent. You will never hope to get or control the ball, merely to kick it away. With the risk of serious injury or a leg break like Coleman.You are lucky not to be banned for life. This should be trained out of kids in the academies.

          It doesn't matter if you make contact with the ball anymore. You've physially endangered another player.

          1. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Agreed

          2. Ravager
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            And that's why he got the card. The intent/recklessness. The only way players hesitate to go into those is if they feel like they'll be duly punished. I remember before the Taylor challenge on Coleman, Bale had a similarly poor tackle on another player and didn't get punished. That set the tone and now Coleman's leg is broken.

            People condemn leg breaks but unless these type of challenges are properly punished, they'll always happen.

        5. camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Not late to the party. Doing stuff with the kids and phone is confiscated but I'm hiding behind a bush with it at the moment.
          Where is Valencia??

          1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Prob rested with mid week Europa league game in.mind.

          2. Numb
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Who knows

          3. the snazzy viking
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            rested before a hectic list of fixtures for United

          4. Business Cat
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Is he hiding in the bush with you? We don't know where he is.

        6. HazardAGuess
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Think someone at MoneySuperMarket has been watching D Piddy.

        7. vectorman
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I know Sunderland are terrible and all but they have a playing forward at 4.3 who has a double and not to bad a fixtures.. Kind of tempted

          On my WC that could have allowed me to have a midfield of.. Alli Erik Haz Sanchez de Roon and I miss out on Ibra by 0.1 along with Kane. Bit of jiggery pokery could have sorted that - what a midifield though, I love it. 😀

        8. Henning
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I didnt watch the game but why did Azpi get 1 bp and Alonso 0 even if he got a goal?

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Because BAPS aren't awarded for goals scored only

          2. PvA
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Silly system. They account tackles, blocks and interceptions highly so Azpi gets many bps

        9. Jakarta
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Does anyone know why Caceres has not yet taken the place of Stephens for Southampton?

        10. itwaswritten
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          So happy Valencia is rested. Stephens will come in with 9 points.

        11. Lav
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Wow picking up Valencia and Walker in these past 3 GWs has killed me. Thank god I played WC for next week.

          Got up to 94k last week and now I am falling. 117k now. Need Lukaku Vardy Sanchez to do something

        12. thunder_mike
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Walker + Vardy > Gibson + Kane for a hit.
          Then Lukaku > Ibra GW34 sound good?