Site Features

Dugout Discussion – Chelsea vs West Brom

Gameweek 27 concludes under the lights of Stamford Bridge for what looks to be a crucial encounter for both Chelsea and West Brom, for all kinds of reasons.

Antonio Conte’s tenure with the champions looks to be precarious at best following successive heavy defeats to Bournemouth and Watford. Another setback tonight would likely seal his fate.

Like Conte, Fantasy managers will be hoping for a reaction and a revival from the Blues.

However, we won’t benefit from returns from Marcos Alonso. The most sold Fantasy Premier League (FPL) player ahead of Saturday’s deadline he remains in 1.3 million squads but misses out once again having sat out the defeat at Watford through “fatigue”. Conte has confirmed that a twisted ankle suffered in training is to blame for his latest absence.

Meanwhile, Eden Hazard remains an erratic but potentially powerful differential. Owned by just 474,000 managers, he has the talent to deliver big against the bottom club.

He is backed with 119,000+ captaincies, including seven of the top 100 managers prior to Saturday’s deadline.

Just two of his nine goals have arrived on home turf this season – both scored against Newcastle in Gameweek 15. He did, however, score his season-high 18-point total against West Brom in the reverse fixture in Gameweek 12.

Olivier Giroud might just be vital to the Belgian’s prospects. He makes his full debut tonight, leading the Chelsea attack with Hazard deployed as one of a supporting two – Pedro also flanks the former Arsenal striker.

The weekend could not have been more troublesome for West Brom; they now find themselves seven points adrift and challenged to come away from West London with some reward. Plenty of Fantasy managers will be hoping that they are denied.

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

3,357 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kessler
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Lads can we start a thread entitled ‘Alonso replacements’ - thoughts on who to replace the big man with?

    I’ll start - Ben Davies

    Go...

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      VVD

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Keep.

    3. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      bad start
      Davies not nailed

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Haha

    4. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Why not just best defenders? Doesn't have to be to specifically replace Alonso.

    5. Mario Balofail
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Evra

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

      There will be 9352445 of them over the next two weeks 🙂

    7. jbenny1107
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Harry Maguire.

    8. BucketHead
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Coleman

    9. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      VVD
      Jones
      Vertonghen
      Nacho after City

      Davies isn't an option due to lack of nailedness

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        What about Mustafi?

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          He's good too, has a goal or two in him

    10. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      VVd. Vert. Alderweireld. Monreal. Mawson.

      1. Kessler
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Is VVD a good option we recon? I’m a Liverpool fan and even I don’t feel confident when it comes to keeping clean sheets!

        1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Looked solid yesterday and no blank. Ideal option for me

    11. UpAndAway
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I need to go cheaper (sub 5.0) in order to afford Mahrez for Lingard. It’s between Hegazi and Robertson for me.

    12. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Can’t think of a defender I’d rather have for a dgw.Im keeping.

    13. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Vertongen

    14. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Depends on whether you wish to have a stud defender, or maybe downgrade to a 4.5-5.0 level defender, and use the money elsewhere. I am likely doing the latter.

    15. Rash
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I'll be going Fernandez most likely then otamendi becomes monreal week after

    16. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      STRONG KEEP

    17. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Will probably downgrade to an uber cheap and upgrade Lingard. Won’t make a decision until after FA Cup matches. May even keep Alonso if it’s looking like he’s fit.

    18. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Alonso

    19. Naboo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Keeping

  2. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    common chelsea if you want anything against barca you should smack teams like wba, hoping hazard will get a hattrick and giroud one or two 🙂

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Calling them "common" isn't very cival. Isn't Chelsea a very affluent area, also...!??

    2. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      CL is about not conceding goals than scoring bucket loads of goals. Its the defence Conte will worry about. West Brom could have scored 2 in the 1st half (Rondon header and Rodriguez pulled shot

  3. Mo Mané No Problems
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Francis coming off the bench with a -1 in place of Alonso

    1. UpAndAway
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Maguire for me (-1).

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Ouch, and to think I was unhappy with my Dunk 2 pointer...

    3. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Simpson -1 for me

    4. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Maguire for me

    5. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Robertson for me.

    6. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Kun for me

    7. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      While Ogbonna sits behind him on the bench with 6 pts

    8. DenDanskeDuo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Ogbonna 6 pointer for me

  4. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso, Ogbonna -> Van Dijk, Vertonghen (-4)? Both have good fixtures over the next few games

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Selling Alonso for -4 could backfire spectacularly

      And 2 defenders out for -4? Nah

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      no for me

  5. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Heing-Min Son time?

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      or the one that plays for spurs

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Heung*

  6. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    This guy must be the happiest with Alonso missing https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/46465/event/27

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      That makes me sick

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Bloody hell

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Dirty disgusting filthy casual

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      The guy is ranked 39k and gets Aguero(vc)?!!?! If we need any further evidence that this game is massively luck based, this is it!!!

      1. Naboo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        You can get lucky in one GW. Over a season it evens out

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          While this sounds logical, it's utter nonsense 🙂 You can be unlucky for an entire season, or things can go your way more often than not, for an entire season.

          1. Ghost Gooner
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            You can't be un/lucky over 38 gws, you just make terrible/good calls

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Why are you talking absolutes? If you tossed a coin 38 times, it wouldn't be heads 38, tails 0. Just as with a season, you can have luckier GW's than others.

              1. Ghost Gooner
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                "While this sounds logical, it's utter nonsense You can be unlucky for an entire season, or things can go your way more often than not, for an entire season."

                😆 you spoke in absolutes mate. My point is simple really. If you do well over 38 gws its not luck but rather making good calls over the season.

                If a fpl player had Alonso c and Aguero vc this gw and got Kun's haul that is luck facilitated by making a good call as well. You can't be randomly lucky

                1. Twisted Saltergater
                  • 14 Years
                  6 years, 2 months ago

                  I wasn't speaking in absolutes... "more often than not", is not an absolute!

                  Assuming two FPL managers with equal skill play a season, they will not finish on equal points - one will be luckier than the other (or one will be unluckier than the other). Kane(c) v Arsenal was maybe as a good call as Aguero(c) v Leicester (particularly with David Silva out), but Aguero scored 4 goals in the second half.

                  There are many decent players struggling with their differentials not paying off, but the ones that rise to the top are those that get a little (or a lot!) luckier.

            2. My Name Is Prince
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              No, but equally not all the players get lucky in 19 GWs and unlucky in 19 GWs... You are talking utter nonsense, nothing evens out here, one manager can be very lucky in 10 GWs and have terrible luck in only 2 GWs, whereas someone else gets very lucky only 3 times and terrible luck in 14... Or whatever, nothing about luck is even!!!

              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • 14 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                I think quite a few people consider luck to be for the period of a day, or an evening, when in my experience it is over much longer periods with peaks and dips. We all understand strikers having purple patches - there's times when you're swimming against the current and times when you're not.

          2. My Name Is Prince
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            It doesn’t even sound logical to me... This is gambler’s fallacy...

        2. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Lol

    5. Naboo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Seen someone else with same but playing 442 and Niasse first in bench!!!

  7. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    @Epic Fail

    Was the 3 weeks reply on last page just trolling?

    Genuinely would like to know 🙂

  8. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Put Mee ahead of Robertson on my bench to round off a terrific Agueroless gwk

  9. puhd
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Pope/Elliot
    Otamendi Jones Kenny Chilwell Francis

    A Elliot out for Lossl
    B Ota out for VVD
    C Jones out for VVD

    Or any better ideas??

  10. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone considering Eriksen start gw 28?
    Now he is great differential and has decent fixtures.
    Thanks.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      yes I am

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Nah

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Would love him but can't afford

    5. BON
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Why would I consider someone who blanks in 31?

      1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Maybe because he can give more points in gw 28 to 30. It just my opinion tough.

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

    Early transfers this week of all weeks is the dumbest thing. Far better to lose 0.5 in TV than make early moves for players that get injured/suspended or blank in 31 resulting in totally unnecessary hits

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      totally agree

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      That has never stopped the casuals.

      Just suck it up

    3. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, agree.

  12. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    A) Naughton
    B) Fernandez

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      naughton for me. been getting forward

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      b

    3. puhd
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A

  13. WVA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Brings Alonso in, gets no points, loses 0.2 million, sells

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Sounds like my season in a nutshell.

      Unlucky pal

  14. Garth Marenghi
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Until the end of the season—>

    Courtouis/Azpi out,
    Karius/vvd in.
    Yes or no?

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      better to have two Liverpool attack

    2. Udo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      If it would be me, I'd do Azpi to VVD only

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      No

    4. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Run out of transfers, lad?

    5. Garth Marenghi
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks all, just thinking that Chelsea have 2 rough fixtures next while Liverpool have a decent run til the end.

  15. BobBradleysOpportunity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    there must be someone out there with alonso C and aguero vice, and a high scoring first sub coming in too

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      read up

      1. BobBradleysOpportunity
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        but a 0 coming in? I'm talking a big sub score as well

        1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          keep reading up. Niasse on bench

  16. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    I can't wait to do Sanchez + JRod to budget mid + Kane with my 2 x FTs. Really hoped for more from Sanchez v Huddersfield and Newcastle.

  17. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    To play Devil's Advocate, at a similar time last season I remember considering Ben Davies.

    "Rose is coming back!" you hear me say. I get Walker instead. Week-by-week; Davies continues starting. Walker gets benched & even Vertonghen begins to annoy. I remember bringing in Valencia to get a 'nailed' defender, but we all know how that ended.

    What will it be like this season? 😉

    1. Ramboros
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Rose is already back. Completely different situation.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Last season Rose wasn't fit yet. He was on the bench vs Arsenal at the weekend.

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I know Rose is around & could pop up at any moment. I'm just muddying the waters 😉

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I hear ya. I've ignored Davies since Spurs' DGW earlier in the season because of Rose, yet here he still is, playing every game.

    5. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Were Spurs in the CL knockout stage last season? ?:

  18. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Best midfielder up to 5.4?

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Mili?

    2. puhd
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Milivojevic, Choupu, Deulofeu

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Deu is 6m

      2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        I have choupo
        AVOID AT ALL COSTS

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      cheers

    4. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Pritchard

  19. Naboo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    FWIW I'm keeping Alonso until it's clear he's out for yonks. Often games against the top sides right?

    1. Naboo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      *hauls (blame swipekey)

    2. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      twisted ankle, he's gona be out for a few weeks

  20. RubberDucky
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Ever since Agueros 4 goals there has been a very negative vibe on this site.

      Sort it out F2F players!!

      1. RubberDucky
          6 years, 2 months ago

          F**king typos

        • BobBradleysOpportunity
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Kanexit2 has created a schism

        • Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          I’ve been on most of today and it’s been cheery

      2. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Brunt off, there goes WBA's only hope.

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Justice4Brunt.

      3. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Need this Chelsea CS gone. Ideally with a Hegazi goal.

      4. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        So is Alonso actually injured or what? Anyone got any insight?

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

          Does a Scout tweet count?

        2. Sedemuda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          It's worrying, Conte seems to fall out with players & report injuries, looks like another potential Luiz situation.

      5. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Back underway at the Bridge.

      6. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Ox yc

      7. Sedemuda
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Any Alonso owners think the situation is another Luiz?
        Conte seems to fall out with players & they suddenly become injured.
        I'm just speculating of course.

        1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          best to watch CL and cup and see. possibly saving him if he isn't 100%

          1. Big P
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            This

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

          Absolutely not. Alonso has been integral to the way they play. Alonso heralded a massive winning streak last season & has continued with great form into this season.

          If anything, preserving him before a bunch of important, tough fixtures that are about to come up.

          1. Sedemuda
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Hope you're right I'm keeping for now.

      8. BON
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Anyone else going triple City > triple Liverpool?

        1. Big P
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          No

        2. tm245
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Already have both, need to go triple City to at least double Spurs.

      9. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Willian warming up.

      10. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Let's go Eden! Grab a couple more

      11. Big P
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Thoughts on the following as FPL options?

        A) Toby A
        B) Stanislas
        C) Arnautovic

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          All good options