Dugout Discussion
5 February 2018 3583 comments
Mark Mark
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Gameweek 26 draws to a conclusion this evening as Watford welcome Chelsea to Vicarage Road.

Although the Hornets boast the league’s worst home defensive record, conceding 25 times in front of their own fans, the arrival of new manager Javi Gracia has hinted at an improvement at the back.

Watford have conceded just one goal in their subsequent two matches across all competitions, though on the downside, they have yet to find the net since the Spaniard was appointed.

But their previous lack of resilience bodes well for the visitors’ Eden Hazard tonight.

The Belgian has served up double-digits in each of his last two road trips, producing a total of three goals and 26 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points over visits to Arsenal and Brighton.

Indeed, with four of his five double-figure tallies delivered on the road, Hazard is the ninth top captaincy pick for Gameweek 26, handed the armband by 2.1% of FPL managers and nine of the top 100.

Hazard is joined in a front three by the fit-again Willian, who has collected three lots of 10+ points returns in his last five league starts.

Elsewhere for Antonio Conte’s side, new arrival Olivier Giroud could get the opportunity to play his way into contention among the mid-price frontman.

Costing 8.2 in FPL, the Frenchman is named on the bench in the continued absence of Alvaro Morata.

But the big team news involves Marcos Alonso, who misses his first game of the season for the Blues as a “precautionary” measure. His absence is a major blow, with the top scoring defender owned by over 1.5 million managers.

Victor Moses looks set to play on the left tonight, with Davide Zappacosta on the right and new signing Emerson named on the bench.

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

3,583 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Come on Eden, punish me for not captaining you my son.

  2. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    I was wondering whether my Alonso would beat money league rivals Azpi... Watford better score. Can't stomach a cleanie.

    Alonso free kick special off the bench to rescue a point for Chelski

    1. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      He’s not on the bench...

      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Oh hell naw

        1. Oven Glover
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Sorry. Don’t shoot the messenger.

    2. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      He's not even...sigh.

      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Sad moment

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I would settle for just a clean sheet & baps from Alonso

      1. BbBb
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Good luck

  3. Fred54
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Where were you Powell?!

    ( ;))

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      maxx is the guy you want

  4. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard and Azpi red cards to put the finishing touch on this gw.

  5. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    C'MON WATFORD!!!

  6. Zilla
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Just saw the squad so is Alonso not in it cause of injury or something?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Minor injury/precaution

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Code for given a rest?

  7. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Conte you rat faced marshmellow muching proverbial poohead.

    Hope the fans are singing 'sacked in the morning'

    Please publicly reassure my job Mr Roman..... zzzzzz bore off

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Does he eats marshmallows?

    2. Superflymonk
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Hahaha, guess Conte's minirival had alonso.

  8. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Too much football going on at once nowadays. Not healthy for the players.

  9. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Should be a good game with no Sunday league footballers on show.

  10. BbBb
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    DCL 5pt in for Alonso, plus Azpi and Hazard in this game. Come on Eden

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Doesn’t work like that. You are only playing 3 defenders. Has to be another defender to come in for Alonso 🙁

    2. Spike ⚽️
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Have a re think on DCL. He's not a defender

  11. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard sellers to be punished tonight....

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Lets hope so

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Doubt it. Another brilliant performance with no end product.

  12. The Special Wan
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Chelsea to concede & Hazard to blank to restore to a dreadful GW.

  13. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Was lookin forward to mnf with Alonso...
    :Cry:
    Why Conte why

  14. Fantasy Gold
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    I hope Chelsea get smashed and Conte gets sacked.

  15. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    My first look at the new Watford manager, all I know up to now is that he is Spanish.

  16. The Butch
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso "a little bit tired" after Jones "a little bit I'll" ... Seriously!!

    1. Jay_
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Is that an actual Alonso quote?

      1. The Butch
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Just saw it on the French TV, this is how they translated what conte said in pre match interview...

        1. Fred54
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Fatigue is a thing you know.

  17. Flinchy
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    OMD!!! kept Christensen all the way through watching Alonso clock up the points. Bring him in this GW and guess what!

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Jokes on you, I kept Antichristensen and there's still the same old curse going on.

      1. Flinchy
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Man I know!!!

  18. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Hope Watford stay up and Richarlison develops over the summer into a great option next year.

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I hope that he develops into a great option tonight!!

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        😉

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        I hope he develops in a different team. Needs better players around him to flourish.

    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      He could leave maybe in the summer

  19. Jay_
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Come on Watford!

  20. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Watford scouting for GW31 vs Pool.

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      No need, It will finish 6-0 to Liverpool

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Might get the Watford penalty taker.

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Mariappa nailed?

  21. WVA
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    When you wildcard last week and bring in

    Alonso Jones Stones and Monreal

    At least i caught Jones' goal

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      🙂

  22. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Phew I get ogbonna off the bench 😎

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Haha nice

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Better than Mbemba.

  23. BON
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    My girlfriend is taller than Kante lol

    1. Syd.
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Interesting

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      They make sex dolls over 5"5? ... the more you know!

      1. Jay_
        8 years, 5 months ago

        😀

      2. Oven Glover
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        😆

    3. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Most twelve year olds I know are taller than Kante

    4. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      How does she compare to Peter Crouch?

      1. Pasqualinho
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        She’s a much better dancer

    5. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      But can she hold a midfield all by herself?

  24. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Those Chelsea defenders look a bit suspect at defending

  25. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    COME ON WATFORD. Anyone else wanna trigger that WC button? It's so tempting man. Rubbish rank, just don't care anymore. There's always next season I guess.

    1. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      having second thoughts, lol .

  26. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Watford goal needed. No Chelsea cleanie with Alonso out.

    1. Jay_
      8 years, 5 months ago

      2 would be better

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Cahill is due a OG

    3. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Why should the salubrious Alonso owners gave their request granted when for too long, Poor Christensen owners have rotted in the light of Chelsea clean sheets?

  27. IRBOX ⚽
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso ffs. I’m done with this game

  28. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    loloyoko

  29. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard and Richarlison blanks please

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      No need to worry about Richarlison - I'm the only idiot who still has him.

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      All Richarlison does is blank

  30. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Deulofeu 16/17 sellers to be punished tonight

    1. Toffeeman (A retired FPL ma…
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Epic deulofail! make me a believer again.