Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Middlesbrough vs Arsenal

After Diego Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed a single point between them at Old Trafford yesterday, all eyes are on Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal roll up to the Riverside in tonight’s final Gameweek fixture.

Recently shuffled onto the left flank, a run of three matches without a goal has knocked our confidence in the Chilean ahead of the Gunners’ double Gameweeks 36 and 37.

Indeed, only 5.9% have handed Sanchez the armband as he attempts to reclaim his spot as top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League, having been knocked off his perch by Romelu Lukaku at the weekend.

Tonight’s team selection looks to have handed Sanchez a change of role. To everyone’s surprise, Arsene Wenger appears to have set up with a 3-4-2-1 formation or even a 3-4-1-2, with Sanchez perhaps joining Olivier Giroud up front – a concern perhaps for the 91,000+ who sold the Chilean ahead of Gameweek 33.

Tonight’s encounter also gives us the chance to run the rule over the hosts as they prepare for a potentially profitable double Gameweek 34 against Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Both Victor Valdes and Ben Gibson currently sit second for transfers in among keepers and defenders since Saturday’s deadline, though in the four matches under new manager Steve Agnew, Boro have been somewhat hot and cold – keeping two clean sheets and conceding at least three times in the other two.

Valdes misses out this evening with a rib problem sustained at Burnley last time out – an injury kept under wraps until tonight: Brad Guzan claims the keeper’s jersey.

Sitting six points from safety, the Teesside team are in desperate need of wins now. Having failed to score in six of their last eight, though, most will likely steer clear of the hosts’ attack unless they can punish the Gunners this evening.

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

4,192 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Last Man Standing GW33 🏆

    Safety score = 55
    Top score = 74
    LMS average = 57.03

    95 : 38 eliminated
    57 through to GW34
    42% out or minimum 24 out in GW34
    Congrats to the final 57 😀

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

      do you have a list of the past safety scores lying around TM? Want to see if I'm still in it

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        http://torresmagic.webs.com/lmsupdate.htm

        Pretty sure I removed you.

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

      🙂

    3. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Still going strong, the chips could prove decisive

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        GW37 final = chips
        GW36 semi final = chips are helpful.

        1. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          The average is creeping up towards the top 10k average too, standards are really high at this stage

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Average beat top 10K this week.
            Safety score should beat the top 10K average from now on.

            1. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              I better pick my transfers carefully 😮 Had I not brought Kane in this week, I would have crashed out

    4. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      How many will be eliminated in gw35, 36, and 37 ?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Say the bare minimum each week.

        57 to 33 to 16(50) to 4 to winner.

        1. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Ta

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

    alonso + Llorente ---> Friend and Ibra?

  3. Crystal Ball
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez out for Ibra (-4) worth it?

    Jaku
    Barragan, Zaha, Walker
    Sanchez, Alli, Siggy, Zaha, Coutinho
    Lukaku, Kane

    Foster, Alonso, Holgate, Barnes

    1FT, 1m ITB

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

      Keep

    2. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      1+

  4. Back on the horse
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez or Lukaku transfer as a route to Ibra?
    A) Sanchez+Llorente to Ibra + Zaha
    B) Lukaku + Siggy to Ibra + Zaha

    or not even bother with Ibra?
    C) Siggy + Llorente to Zaha and Benteke?

    Heaton Grant
    Yoshi Alonso nyom Holgate Friend
    Sanchez Eriksen Siggy Alli king
    Kane lukaku Llorente
    1FT 0.4m

    cheers

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      I'll do something like A myself, i think.

    3. Sanguinista
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      If u have a WC left then A) else B). Double palace is a tad too much with those fixtures.

  5. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Repost due to bottom of the page.

    G2G GW 34? 

    Decided to carry forward my transfer. 

    Pickford 
    Alonso Pieters VanAaholt X2
    Sanchez Alli Eriksen Zaha X2 
    Origi Kane (C) Lukaku 

    Forster Holgate Sane Brunt

    Thank you to those who do comment.

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'd get a Manu defender at least

  6. Sanguinista
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    How did Negredo play? Am planning to captain him next week.

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

      Like always.

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      One header that went in..thats about it

    3. Il Papera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Reasonable shout, with every defeat Boro's need for wins grows. Think he could even outscore Ibra. 2 goals in last 200 mins so he's in form and has penalties.

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

    My only route to Ibra is to sell Lukaku. A whole week to ponder.

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

      I'd fancy a Lukaku goal vs West Ham

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

        Agreed. Tough decision.

    2. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Keep Lukaku
      I reckon Ibra will play 120mins

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

        I fancy him to start both. And he never gets subbed off.

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          He gets subbed on though 🙂

      2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Good enough for me . I'd rather have 120 mins of Ibrah than 180 of tekkers and negredo

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

        For me this minutes thing is being a bit overanalyzed you buy him, you captain him and he gets whatever minutes and points he gets by close of play.

        1. Ange Ball
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          He will start at Burnley then get subbed on City

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

    @godot

    How did you go this week?

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

    Valdes and bernardo a doubt.. replacements? 4.6+4.3+0.1itb for a gk and def. So 9.0 to spend on 2

  10. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Is Darmian good prospect now? 5m and played ok with 2 back to back CS.

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

      Not even remotely close to nailed.

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

    Gtg?

    Grant
    Alonso Gibson Valencia
    Alli Eriksen Coutinho Zaha
    Kane (c) Lukaku Kun

    Heaton Yoshida Bertrand T.Caroll
    1.2itb

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg

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

    Brave to ditch Alonso and go without a Chelsea defender til the end of the season, for funds?

    Or would you do it?

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

      Already ditched and turning out pretty damn good.

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

      I ditched him a few weeks back to finally buy Alli.

    3. pitstop1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Haven't had a Chelsea defender all season - spend your £ elsewhere - they're wobbling (hopeful Spurs fan).

    4. MFC86
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      They're no longer keeping clean sheets so I think you can get better value elsewhere

    5. Js31
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking of ditching him too. Who are you going to bring in?

      My other defenders are Valencia Walker Cedric Pieters

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

        Thanks all! Get a cheap Southampton defender 😉

  13. Espen8
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Thing is with Zlatan, if I drop him, its really hard to choose a captain

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      This

    2. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Kane captain 34, 35, 36. He's chasing for golden boot, Spurs chasing for the title and he loves playing in London and scoring in derbys.

      1. Espen8
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Don´t have Kane. Could go with Alli

        1. Pep says
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Who you dropping Zlatan for??

          1. Espen8
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Have to take out Lukaku or Carroll and -8

  14. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Kun to Ibra for -4 before the price rise ?

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

      Are you priced out after?

    2. Magic Bean
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Risky

    3. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      No chance. A lot will be asked of Ibra in the game, who knows what could happen.

    4. Frank Black
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Keep Kun.

    5. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys

  15. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    In the Frequent Poster cup if we both get the same score who goes through??

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

      The other guy.

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

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

        😆

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

      With the higher overall rank I think?

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Rank probably.

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  16. Frank Black
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Who's going to be Boro's GK in the DGW? Valdes or Guzan? Or one game each?

  17. Pep says
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Is dropping Siggy a wise move? I know he's having a rough ride at the minute but they have to be thinking of staying up. Hulls last 2 fixtures are cpl and TOT. Swansea face sun and WBA.

    People talking about these relegation teams providing gems at the end of the season. Can't see a better option than Siggy for this scenario.

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

      He's been a bit crap lately.

      1. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        He's been unlucky on a lot of occasions. So many chances, his luck has to turn and if they're gonna get ahead of Hull then he's gonna be the guy to do it.

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

      It's being harder and harder to stand by him, ditching him is mighty tempting now.

  18. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    So it seems most nailed Manu defenders are Bailly and Rojo.

    I still think vs Burnley or Swans at home GW35, we may see one of them benched with Carrick at the back. Jose doesn't have any other CB left.

    1. Magic Bean
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      No point speculating who until Thursday unfortunately

  19. Magic Bean
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    How many DGW players are you putting in your team this week?
    I'm going with 4

    1. MFC86
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      3 because Saving wc for the big dgw's

    2. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      4 and saving my FT

  20. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with this team?

    Heaton
    Valencia Davies Alonso
    Sanchez Alli Siggy King
    Aguero Lukaku Benteke

    Grant De Roon Pieters Kingsley

    1FT, 1.2 ITB

  21. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    OR updated up 16k this GW from 153k to 137k

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I only gained 15 k this week, Anish, so yer still ahead of me

      OR 153k
      14 green arrows in a row now...

      Bring on those doubles!

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Ahh nice im on 6 green arrows in a row, whats your plan for GW34 Yank

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Bringing in a couple o Palace players to go with Ibra/Valencia/Gibson...think I'll max out at 5 DGWers, then WC in 35.

          1. Bruno Bruno!!
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            That sounds good, Im sticking with only Zaha from palace, getting in Bailly for Evans and having double united defence alongside Valencia and then Valdes in goal. So 4 DGW players then WC in 35 like you.

  22. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Good evening all.

    For people still with their TC, is a GW35 Wildcard the default option?

    1. MFC86
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah think so

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, m8.

  23. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    60k, lowest ive been all season............terrible year 🙁

    hope i can gain ground in the doubles

  24. Misery Loves Kompany
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    OR updated... I seem to have joined the grey arrow club!

    😮

    1. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Huge TV.

      Great job!

      1. Misery Loves Kompany
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers! Valencia to PVA was a gamble and a massive fail, but can't grumble 😀

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Equal with my personal best 🙂

      1. Misery Loves Kompany
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        You're on to beat that this time around 🙂 best of luck!

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers, so are you 🙂

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

      Great rank huge team value!

    4. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nice rank and TV

    5. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Who have you transfered in?

      1. Misery Loves Kompany
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I can't actually say as my main rival will see this, but someone I swore I would never own again...

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

      Nice TV.

      I'm not looking at your team, I'm in your garden.

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

        What's his wife wearing?

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

          Absolutely nothing, according to my imagination.

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

            Not even heels?

            1. Misery Loves Kompany
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Wearing just a smile

              ...and heels, always heels.

      2. Misery Loves Kompany
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Let the dog in would you? He's scratching at the door

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

          Sorry, but he's already been sold on the black market.

          1. Misery Loves Kompany
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Oh well, he's gone to a better place.

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

    OR 6,111.

    Going in the right direction might crack top 5k after doubles, wildcard and bench boost.

    1. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely possible

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

        You still in the members cup?

        1. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Nah I don't think so

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

            Unlucky. Thought i spotted your username recently when i was looking at results.

            1. Geoff
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              At some point but I had a few down weeks. I haven't been following honestly

    2. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nice 🙂

    3. Magic Bean
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nice

    4. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Or top 1k

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

        Haha that would brilliant.

        5k was my early season target that i set but who knows the last few weeks if i score well it may happen.

        1. Moosie the Staggie
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Good luck with it.
          I'm at 11k and I haven't given up hope for it yet.
          I definitely need some punts though

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

            Nice one.

            What chips have you left?

            Are you going big for this next double or conservative?

            1. Moosie the Staggie
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              WC BB left.

              Somewhere in the middle for 34.
              Tempted by something outside the box for this week. Alexis to Hazard possibly.
              Have Zaha PVA Antonio and Zlatan gtg this week

    5. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Fairplay

    6. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      we are neck and neck - im 6,120
      through in members cup as well - you?

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

        Just checked, yeah I'm through 80-58.

        Be interesting to see which of us finishes the season higher given that the rank is basically identical now.

        1. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          definitely - guessing we are same points and just transfers in it (your link is an old one...)

          I have no TC but WC and BB like you by the sounds of it. Would love to beat by top rank of 4,143

          Couldnt be tighter!

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

            You should beat it. Mine is 5,250 so I'm hopefully going to beat that and record a top 5k.

            My id is 6723.

            Roll on the draw for the next round of the members too!

            1. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              great score this week - you need to dump those west brom players stinking up your team though... 😉

              As suspected we are identical points so its a 5 week season from here. See you in the hat.

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

                Ah those two can stay till wildcard!

  26. Sanguinista
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Did Monreal play in the 'Alonso' role today for Arsenal? Any attacking threat going forward?

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

      Didn't watch the game, but not sure if they'll stick with that system anyway

    2. dark91
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      He was only attacking Sanchez today

    3. Moosie the Staggie
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      He was like a Lada to Alonso's Ferrari

    4. Misery Loves Kompany
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      It was more of a Dennis Irwin with cramp

  27. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    COUPLE THINGS HERE GUYS:

    1. Best DGW mids to consider? after Zaha...
    2. Is it worth bringing in Zlatan at the cost of surgery? ie. (Alexis out)
    3. Thinking of bringing in Gibson, Valdes?

    Current team: (4 DGWers so far) - 1.7m itb

    Pickford
    VALENCIA - PVA - Alonso - B.Davies
    Alexis - Dele - ZAHA - DE ROON
    Kane - Lukaku

    Subs: Foster; Walcott, Baines, Carroll.

    (ps, I do have WC still)

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      1) Im only considering Palace mids. Townsend as my differential.
      2) Yes...can get Sanchez back on your WC
      3) Gibson only for me. But could understand a double up...

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        thanks man

  28. 50 Shades Oshea
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    A) Kane to ibra

    B) mawson to friend

    C) both -4

    Thanks

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

      B

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I think you should do Kane to Ibra since this is somehow an option

      1. 50 Shades Oshea
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers guys

  29. Foozeball
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Holgate -> Friend/Barragan?
    Originally planned Mannone -> Valdes, but the GK situation at Boro is very uncertain now

  30. I Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:

    A) Origi (CRY)
    B) Sigurdsson (STK)
    C) Pedro (SOU)

    Currently have Divock on the bench.

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      B