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.

  1. McNulty
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    37 points but right to stick here? Unsure if I will have enough defenders (again)

    Adrian (Speroni)
    Alonso, Jones, Mawson (Kenny, Chilwell)
    Sanchez, Salah, Sterling, Walcott, Choupu-Moting
    Kane, Firmino (Quaner)

    1. Sánchez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Double my score

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

      Very nice assuming Jones & Alonso return

    3. TallestJohn
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Good team structure, just don't like most of your cheap picks. Choupo worth sticking with given fixtures but keepers, Kenny and Quaner need to go imo.

      1. McNulty
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, I need to sell Kenny, it cost me this week. Quaner plays in 3-5-2 and is key to free funds for bigger mids so he stays for a while yet. Was thinking of ditching Alonso for VVD after this week and then using the cash to upgrade my cheap picks.

        1. TallestJohn
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah that's sensible, I'm probably getting rid of Azpi and/or Ota ahead of GW28

  2. Sánchez
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero RLC to Salah Wilson, done

    1. Sánchez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      (finally gave in and got Salah)

      1. McNulty
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        New levels of stubbornness discovered

        1. Sánchez
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          😀

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

        Better late than never I guess.

      3. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Wow

    2. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      For real Sanchez?

      1. Sánchez
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Was 11k till this week without having him all season. Just got too much this week though

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Where you at now?

          1. Sánchez
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            32k

    3. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Bout to get Salah back in. Kun and Ota are the pawns

    4. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      wow....im also got this level of stubborness with sterling 5 weeks ago and i gave up..

    5. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Honestly, why has it taken you this long to get him?

      1. Sánchez
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Just hadn't managed to fit him in

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          I was the same until 3 GW's ago.

  3. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Because that game has thrown my transfer plans into question, I'm just leaving this open-ended. For what it's worth, my potential chopping block is denoted by *, based mostly on fixtures. Cheers to anyone taking the time to chime in!

    2FTs, 0.3itb. What would you do?
    Fab, Elliot
    Azpi*, Ota*, Mustafi*, Duffy, Ogbonna
    Salah, Sterling, Son*, Lingard*, Mili*
    Kane, Firmino, Depoitre*

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

      Too many on the block, get it down to a couple

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Fair enough: Depoitre and ... that's part of my issue, deciding whether to spend that second FT. would guess that means hold it, then.

    2. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      maybe mustafi and deopitre out....

  4. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with 2 FT?

    Pickford
    Azpi Jones Otamendi
    Lingard Sterling Salah Hazard Mkhitaryan
    Wilson Kane

    Elliot Mee Dunk Ladopo

    1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      seems you're gonna burn the free transfer

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Lingard out, then bank the other FT for gw28. That's what I'd do. As disappointing as Azpi, Jones and Ota are at the very moment, I'm not sure they're worth selling going into gw27.

    3. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      lingard to wally

  5. F4L
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Just got in, I assume my Alonso Azpi partnership wielded 12 points again?

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

      Sublime performances 😆

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Actually, a brace for both of them.

      That might be a stretch. Four goals were scored, though.

  6. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    My 5 defenders this week got a grand total of 3 points, which is definitely a record low for me!

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

      One of those freakish weeks

  7. Patch
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Executive Decision:

    At this late stage in the game, no point worrying so much about 0.1 drops.

    Gonna keep Ota despite the inevitable tonight.

    Keep to the game plan of using FT for valuable resources not defenders who are barely picking up any CS.

    Goodnight Goodsirs.

    1. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      are you just hoping other players see this and do similarly to reduce the chance of a drop overnight?

  8. SADIO SANÉ
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Who needs TV when you can just get Walcott, Del & Shaq 😀

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

      Well the argument against 5 in midfield is weaker than ever now

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      😎

  9. Monkey Hanger
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Didn't think Mr. Rooney would be such a confident young chap.

    1. Rik Waller
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yeh he's not too bad, is he.

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I think he has been great tonight.
      Maturity has obviously arrived in his 30s.
      It's obvious he loves the game and has a real passion for it. Fair play. Great career.

      Granny post incoming. Hair transplant post incoming. blah blah.

      Great player.

      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        If he was Irish he would have the freedom of every river and every gilfs joot.

        1. RoysCallerAnne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Aren't all Scousers Irish anyway 😀

          1. Hibbo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Pretty much. Lol.

            I just think it's a real English thing to rip one of their best players of the modern era to shred and make a mockery of them rather than cherish them.

            1. RoysCallerAnne
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 2 months ago

              Completely. They don't know they're born.

        2. pjomara
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          he was eligible to play for ROI

    3. Monkey Hanger
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Never thought he could have a career as a pundit. But have changed my mind after tonight.

  10. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    I couldn't watch the match tonight, anyone know if Alonso has been ruled out for WB match ? I'm guessing Conte wasn't really up for discussing much in his post match interview

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

      Minor muscle injury

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers Netley

  11. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    40 points this GW pretty shite, picking the wrong captain is ultimately what has cost me, Should have captained Salah over sterling

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      same here wrong (c) choice think ill just leave it on salah rest of the season

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      see that's where luck comes in. Sterling could, well should have had at least 1 goal, if not more at the weekend, while Salah was surprisingly clinical against Spurs. Don't beat yourself up about it, just unlucky

      1. Tazah
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Very well put

    3. Js31
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Hindsight is a wonderful thing

  12. wolvesmad
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone got a link for the atricle about dgw and blankweek tactics please?

    1. Monkey Hanger
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Hot Topics.

      1. wolvesmad
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks MH!

  13. AnfieldLad
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Henny (Pickford)
    Alonso Otamendi Jones (Mee Ogbo)
    Salah Sterling Walcott Son Lingard
    Kane Firmino (Niasse)
    2FT 0ITB

    A) Lingard -> Shaq
    B) Son -> Shaq
    C) Change defence
    D) Other? I'm stuck this week

    1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      upgrade ogbonaa

  14. Mr. Jenkins
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    2 from my brilliant Azpi, Simpson, Alonso combo at the back with Kenny coming in for a whopping 0 more,bite me.

  15. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Have to do Richarlison to Walcott but then have to downgrade someone by 1.1 for a hit
    A) Otamendi to Smalling
    B) Alonso to Smalling (makes getting Ramsey or Mkhi easier but will wait on that)
    B) Vertongen to max 4.9

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Rich>Deulofeu is better

  16. the snazzy viking
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    will I ever actually be able to sell Elliot and Adrian?

    1. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      It's horrible feeling but I think we're both stuck with them until WC

    2. Deus
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      No

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      And Mbemba

    4. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      same with me with player that i cant move out(zeegalar/kenny) because of their low value

    5. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      In the same boat. I'm tempted to find a replacement for Elliot but none of the options look all that attractive, to be honest. Maybe Fabs given the fixtures and saves.

  17. Yellin' in my Ear
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Has there been any indication of lms safety score? Assume 38 isn't enough?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I think I saw TM say it was 34 before tonights game , with that including auto subs

      1. Yellin' in my Ear
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I saw that, assume this game didn't move many up so still hoping...

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Might be ok. Autosubs will decide.

  18. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender for 5.6?

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

      Take a chance on Smalling or go for a safe Maguire

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        How about VVD or Davies?

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

          Klopp cares little for cleanies and I don't think VVD is up to speed yet. Rose is back in training, @liv came too soon.

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

      I'd just as soon have Mawson or Mee and save a little.

  19. Postman Ty
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Should Conte just be fired now? I'm emotional, but where's the line being drawn.
    The amount of red cards.
    Playing Hazard as a 9.
    Playing Bakayoko at all.
    What the hell happened to Luiz.
    Zappacosta on the left.
    An embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to a much lesser team followed by a downright disgusting 4-1 thumping to another lesser, struggling team.
    Can't score goals, but can't defend either.

    1. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Won the title last year
      Full of charisma
      Not being backed by his chairman.
      A great manager

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Valid.
        Never see it anymore, lots of misery because of the poor results and lack of backing.
        Extremely valid.
        Valid.

        Stupid club doesn't know how to treat a manager.

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

      I suspect it's come to that point where some senior players aren't trying as hard as they could/should - a sign of the end

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        That's what I was thinking the whole game. And it clearly showed at the end.

    3. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      They had a great run of CS up until recently in fairness.

      I do think Conte has made lots of mistakes. He seems to alienate certain players. He should have given Batshuyai a chance. Ostracized Luiz. Barely played Pedro, who was super last year.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Baffling, those decisions. I agree.

        As for the clean sheets, I've never seen another team so inconsistent. You know what you're getting with the other teams for the most part. Chelsea started off terrible, pulled it back to good, then went on a great defensive run (albeit with a severe lack of scoring), and now they're back to a sack of potatoes.

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Chelsea players are to blame. They've done this before. Just give up when not going well.

  20. Postman Ty
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    As if being a Chelsea fan wasn't enough right now, ML rival who I'm chasing gets 10 bloody points from Doucoure against a top 4 team, in the same week Kane (c) misses a penalty. Can't make this up.

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Mine got him off the bench. 800 quid for first place and that puts him 34 points ahead of me.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I'm about 100 points behind him now, it's literally been these types of events every week all season.

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, it'd put your head away. My guy was getting jammy Monréal and Bellerin points for weeks. Swapped them for Azpil and Alonso a while back. Captains Salah every GW. Has terrible, but lucky strikeforce.

          1. Postman Ty
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            So much jam they could open a store.
            As a reference to how bad my rival is, he TC'd Mane in GW4, away to City, and he got sent off.
            Already blew all of his chips.
            Has had 2-4 picks at any given point that would be recognized as terrible by anyone with any knowledge, and has either jammed around them or gotten stupid points from them at the right times.
            Salah permanent captain and a handful of early bandwagons, fair play, but so lucky it's all worked out.

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

      Rival played Rich. Doucoure first sub but Jones and Laporte so no sub

      1. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Almost got lucky 😉

  21. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone still in the LMS with less then 41 points this GW?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Plenty

      1. Henryyy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Phew

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

    Rooney's best performance in years tonight on Sky!

    1. Tazah
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'm actually enjoying it

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, he's been good. He's grown into it...

        1. Deulofail
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah but it's weird to see him transplanted into the studio

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He was surprisingly good. I hope he does go into management, it would be interesting to see how he does.

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

        I'm sure he'll give it a shot anyway. If not, Sky will have a spot for him and he'll do well there!

  23. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Rough this GW: Sterling (C) instead of Salah and Gudmundsson 10 points sitting pretty on the bench

    1. GE
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Not the worst, buT Gudmundsson on the bench hurts

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

      Rough . Captained Aguero and transferred out Danilo for Daniels.

  24. GE
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Son and Quaner -> Walcott and Wilson tonight?

    Can't afford any price changes. Or should I wait for Alonso-news?

    1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      i keep son

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

      Shame to dump Son before ars, can't it wait?

      1. GE
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Can wait..Tired of 4-4-2 when no defender deliver

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      After Arsenal Son next 2 home are Huddersfield and Newcastle

  25. MURPH707
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Are any other alonso owners worried that if conte goes it might spell the end of his big fantasy returns, as I would imagine any manager that comes in will change to a back 4 and stop his constant drives forward?

    1. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      In the same boat.

      1. MURPH707
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Reckon if a new manager comes will be a back 4 and his returns will dip massively

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

      Yeah but a good back 3 can normally cope as he becomes a winger - as long as the guy @rwb can defend to form a 4. Not worried, yet

  26. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Deulofeu vs left sided defence next 2 looks too good to pass up

    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Is Aubameyang eligible to play in the EL for Arsenal?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      no

        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        That's my Lukaku replacement sorted, then. Cheers

      1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        if sanchez can play for united CL, why cant auba?

        1. Rover
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          I think because Auba played in CL while Sanchez never played in EL

          1. Rover
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            So I was wrong. It's because Dortmund finished third in their CL group so were technically demoted to the EL before the transfer was completed. Whereas Sanchez and Mkhi were always in the 'other' competition.

          2. Alonso The Great Midfielder
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            owh just know sanchez was never play for EL...thats more clear

            1. Rover
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 2 months ago

              I was wrong about that. Sanchez did play one game against Köln

    2. MURPH707
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      No

    3. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      i think he is cause he play for champion league before move to europe 32 KO stage

  27. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think T.Carroll is back in the first team with Fer's injury?

    1. Union_Jacks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure, he lacks the physicality Fer brings to that CM position needed but came on and changed the game for the Swans when he did.

      Might continue his improved performances being an impact sub and we could see King play there or even Renato when back.

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Ah yes King. Cheers

  28. Rik Waller
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Rooney up to 3 bonus