Dugout Discussion
5 March 2018 2316 comments
Paul Paul
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We draw a line under Gameweek 29 this evening as Crystal Palace and Manchester United go head-to-head at Selhurst Park.

The 8pm encounter features five of the top 20 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captains for this round of fixtures – Romelu Lukaku, David De Gea, Paul Pogba, Christian Benteke and Alexis Sanchez.

Of that quintet, Lukaku is the only one with more than 1% backing – he’s the third most popular armband pick for Gameweek 29, with 10.4% handing him the captaincy.

The Belgian’s 12-point return at home to Chelsea – a first double-digit haul since Gameweek 5 – continued the form that has now harvested four goals and an assist in his last five appearances across all competitions.

Elsewhere for the visitors, Jesse Lingard returns to the teamsheet after emerging from the bench to score the winner against Chelsea last weekend – over 43,000 drafted him in for this one.

Yet the Eagles have been fairly resilient at home in recent matches – they’ve conceded just twice in four at Selhurst Park, despite entertaining Man City and Spurs across that stretch.

Roy Hodgson’s side have only netted two goals in those encounters, which bodes well for De Gea’s 44% FPL owners, as the top scoring keeper in FPL goes in search of a sixteenth clean sheet of the campaign.

Meanwhile, a shutout for the visitors would see Antonio Valencia climb above the popular Ben Davies into fourth spot among FPL defenders.

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

  1. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Pity Gary Neville isn't on commentating tonight to call Utd embarrassing.

  2. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Anything Pogba can do, Alexis can do worse.

  3. justlikehoney
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Have United been watching Arsenal recently? 😀

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Looks like it

  4. justlikehoney
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Booking for the new Darren Fletcher.

  5. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Scottish tackle if ever I've seen one

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Agricultural tackle

  6. Hooky
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Sanchez first touch is awful. I'd like to see him and Benteke in a 'trapping a bag of sand' competition at half time.

    1. Tazah
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      You mean lukaku right? Worst first touch I've seen on a professional player

      1. how now brown cow
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Sissoko?

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          THIS!

  7. Tazah
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Pogba with more haircuts than appearances...... Probably not even a joke

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Hahaha! This made me giggle. I thank you sir

  8. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Arsenal and united look all over the place , city are rotation risk, Chelsea struggle too, seriously who can I take for my wc team ??? :0

    1. Dacra
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      I haven't tried making a wc for 34 team yet, it seems too hard!

    2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Son x3

    3. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      spurs and pool

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Spurs fixtures aren't event hat great ! Away at Chelsea on 32 and home to city in 34

        1. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          *shrug* harry could still do decent, and ive got bavies as well. lfc then, even though they lack dgw

  9. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Come on Dave, give us a save.

  10. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Classy ABU's all out in force tonight I see.. 😐

    1-0L

    1. Nascimento
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      They've got me seething, mate.

  11. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Sanchez completed a pass yet? Looks horrible!!

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      not a pass of any significance anyways

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Awful

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      68% pass completion.. awful

  12. Hooky
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 days ago

    Man U and Chelsea having a competition this weekend on who can put in a worse display

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Reminds me of that episode of South Park called the Losing Edge. If you watch it, you’ll get what i mean haha

      1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        i’m sorry I though this was america

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Hahahaha!! Yes!

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

      Arsenal wants in too.

    3. Zilla
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Nah, nothing will top Chelsea's or Arsenal's dispalys.

    4. Dannyb
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Seems like it, United determined to put in a worse display than Arsenal and Chelsea.

    5. JohnnyMagrinho
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Arsenal already won that without even trying.

      • Nascimento
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Got to give it to Man Utd when you consider how much it cost to assemble this side top. Jok of a performance

    6. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      before the game Mourinho found a turd on the floor in the showers.
      Walking back into the changing room he asked "Right lads, own up, who's shit on the floor?"
      Lukaku put his hand up and said "me boss, but i'm not too bad in the air...."

    7. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Young Mili head clash

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Concussion protocol

      2. Tazah
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Sounds like a new rapper

    8. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Arsenal and Man United. Teams that take world class players and ruin them beyond recognition. Disgusting.

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        It's just the managers

      2. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Managers

    9. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      God Palace are a horrible team

      1. Syd.
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        I quite like them tonight

        1. Somalion
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Yep. Nowt wrong with going to a traditional 442 with the big men knocking it down for the runners. They've got a structure in attack (unlike United, who have had all 6 players in the midfield/forward line play at least 4 different positions in 45 minutes)

          1. Syd.
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            What is going on with that midfield as you said no shape whatsoever they are all over the place

            1. Somalion
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 3 days ago

              I can't for a second believe it is just the players doing what they want. It looks like nothing has been organised pre game.

              Made a habit of clocking player's positions over the last few weeks. So far, in 45 minutes, Pogba has played LCM, RCM, DM and LB. Sanchez has played LW, RW and CF.

              A bit of fluidity is fine, as in 2 of the 3 CMs can meander around a tad while someone like Matic forms the anchoring defensive mid, but this is just all over the shop. City accomplish it fairly well with De Bruyne. He has pretty much free licence and does it great. Difference being, all 3 in the forward line are rigidly positioned, Sane and Sterling/Bilva tight to the touch, drift in to the box when there's space available. Sanchez and Lingard are simply cutting in towards a packed defence then playing panicky, snatch passes to someone else who is also in a sea of Palace players and inevitably lose the ball.

      2. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Well utd are worse

      3. Hughes Your Daddy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Bit harsh? seeing as we have 12 players out injured, think we doing pretty well all considered with our bare bones squad 🙂

        1. how now brown cow
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          I agree. Not had many big defeats at all - surprising given the injuries.Every chance of staying up.

    10. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      LMFAO, thought sorloth was a FFS generated nickname for a player...

    11. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      We were all thinking that United defense was essential, when in reality its the defenders facing United that are essential.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        To be fair, United defense have been lucky for a lot of the season. They've been leaking chances gameweek upon gameweek & it's only by virtue of DDG that they aren't doing worse in that respect.

        Definitely a pain, though.

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Yea they have had terrible shots conceded stats for the entire season. De Gea has bailed them out.

      2. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Never owned a United defender or keeper this season. Would be a great boast if Jones and DDG weren't amazing value earlier in the season.

    12. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      mandem poo

    13. OldBenKenobi
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Matic and Lindelof on 2 bps????

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Useless before 60' but the lack of quality on show doesn't help.

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        lol

      3. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Only important at 1-1

    14. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Has Sanchez unbalanced the United team and made them worse?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Not sure. He's not made them any better yet though.

        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          I don't think him and Pogba can play in the same team both are all over the place. You can afford to have one midfielder like that but not 2

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            They can.

            Bet you a better attacking coach could get them playing coherently.

            1. Syd.
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 3 days ago

              They need discipline and neither of them seem to have it

              1. Somalion
                • 16 Years
                8 years, 3 days ago

                I think Sanchez on the right wing, while some may say is not his very best position, would be his best one for United.

                Keep him from cutting in on his right foot from the left, force him to stretch defenders. He was also pretty damn good there for Barca, not like he can't do that again.

      2. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        I don’t think it’s Sanchez’s fault

      3. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        *Mourinho

      4. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Mourinho is so dumb, playing all these players at the same time just because they cost a lot of money. Lukaku and Sanchez clearly shouldnt be on the pitch at the same time.

      5. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Not in sync with Pogba/Kaku yet. All three have been awful so far

    15. Monkey Hanger
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Dilly dilly.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Love that advert.

        And love Bud Light 🙂

    16. OldBenKenobi
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Gary Neville is actually spot on: Pogba plays like he in the park with his mates!
      That’s exactly it!

      1. Syd.
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        He has no discipline

        No sure how much longer Jose will put up with him

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Sometimes that can be a good quality.

        1. OldBenKenobi
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Yeah but he’s not doing the job his told/paid to do half the time

        2. ChampChomp
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Yeah it's great how he kicks the ball away trying to make stupid passes and never breaks into a sprint when tracking back. I'm a United fan btw, but he really is a waste of money

      3. Nascimento
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        We need to sign someone to free him

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Sissoko?

          1. Nascimento
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            That could work.

      4. Over Midwicket
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Pogba is 100 times the player Neville ever was.

        1. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Not that you could quantify that statement anyway, but I doubt it's anywhere near true.

        2. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Lol

          Neville is a legend.
          2 CLs, 8 PLs, 3 FA Cups, 1 FIFA Club World Cup, 5 times FA team of the Year.

          Pogba is a dabbing emoji merchant

          1. how now brown cow
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            In fairness Pogba has won plenty of trophies already.

            It's comparing chalk and cheese though.

            Also, Fergie was great at developing young players. Mourinho seems to set them back.

            1. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 3 days ago

              Ferguson tried to develop Pogba, but gave up because of his awful attitude.

      5. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        His attitude is terrible, always stropping when the team is struggling. Sunshine player. Ferguson was right.

      6. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        My issue is, he doesn't play like this for France or at Juve. I don't understand why it's this way at United.

        1. Rash
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          At juve he got more time and space (freedom) for France Dechamps plays him double pivot

          1. Somalion
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            But that's what I'm saying really, why is it in two very different set ups (France and Juve) he plays well but at United he has plenty of moments where he's lost?

            Everyone says LCM is his best position, but he's perfectly capable to play well in a pivot for France, yet not at United.

    17. Henning
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 days ago

      Hmmm should i get Shaqiri in for Deulofeu tonight to avoid pricedrop?

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Not just for that reason, no.

        1. Henning
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Well, its not just for that reasonable i think i need some more gw 31 player.

          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            Depends how important saving 0.1 is for you.

            1. Henning
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 3 days ago

              Well Maby its betther to hold the transfers until after the Champions league
              Hmmm is betther the correct spelling?

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Yep, do it.

      3. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Man City next though....
        Tough choice. Will be in a lot of teams for 31. Anyone else you can get and get him next week?

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Love Shaq tends to do well in the big games

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            😛

        2. Henning
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Have 8.2 m to replace Deulofeu with, so i could get Son, but not shure If I wanna use a transfer to get a non gw 31 player.

      4. MTPockets
          8 years, 3 days ago

          For 2pts?

        • _figu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          City next.

      5. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Sanchez lost the ball 19 times in 45 minutes. Discuss.

        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Nothing new he did the same at Arsenal

        2. Fantasy Gold
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Oh soz la, didn’t realise that you beat me to the punch 😉

          He has been truly awful. Trying to do it all himself

        3. adam28193
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          did you really think he'd be a form sanchez moving clubs mid season?

      6. Westfield Irons ⭐️
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Half time bonus points

        How can Lindelof have more bonus than Benteke?

        Crazy system

        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Which part would you change?

          Players score BPS points based on the following statistics (one point for each unless otherwise stated):

          Action BPS
          Playing 1 to 60 minutes 3
          Playing over 60 minutes 6
          Goalkeepers and defenders scoring a goal 12
          Midifielders scoring a goal 18
          Forwards scoring a goal 24
          Assists 9
          Goalkeepers and defenders keeping a clean sheet 12
          Saving a penalty 15
          Save 2
          Successful open play cross 1
          Creating a big chance (a chance where the receiving player should score) 3
          For every 2 clearances, blocks and interceptions (total) 1
          For every 3 recoveries 1
          Key pass 1
          Successful tackle (net*) 2
          Successful dribble 1
          Scoring the goal that wins a match 3
          70 to 79% pass completion (at least 30 passes attempted) 2
          80 to 89% pass completion (at least 30 passes attempted) 4
          90%+ pass completion (at least 30 passes attempted) 6
          Conceding a penalty -3
          Missing a penalty -6
          Yellow card -3
          Red card -9
          Own goal -6
          Missing a big chance -3
          Making an error which leads to a goal -3
          Making an error which leads to an attempt at goal -1
          Being tackled -1
          Conceding a foul -1
          Being caught offside -1
          Shot off target -1

          1. Westfield Irons ⭐️
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            Thanks for the cut and paste.
            I'd change it so a player with an assist for a bottom half team would have more points than a defender that has conceded (for a top half team) and contributed to the goal.
            Seriously maybe weighting bonus according to league positions wouldn't hurt? For example a Man City mid gets a bit less than a Brighton mid for the same stats? Just a thought.

            1. Brosstan
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 3 days ago

              He's already been rewarded with 3 points for the assist... how is it so difficuly for people to grasp this.

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Apart from the assist, what has Benteke done?

        3. adam28193
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          sanchez is on 10 though.. thats more of a joke.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            Deductions to be made.

      7. FPL Pillars
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Man Utd “assets”... ohh dear!

      8. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Sanchez lost the ball 19 times in the first half.

        😆

        1. Deulofail
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          He'd be that guy that insists he hides the easter eggs for the hunt and then you on't find them for several years because even he doesn't know where they are.

      9. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        Hmm, couple of WC conundrums

        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          Jarvish is your man for conundrums

          1. Davido989
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            rhceal rliey

            1. OldBenKenobi
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 3 days ago

              😀

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 3 days ago

          This week?

          1. FPL Scoop
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 3 days ago

            nah, for 32

      10. Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 days ago

        They will still suffocate Pool on saturday. The first Salah blank of 2018 is confirmed.