Dugout Discussion
2 September 2018 2514 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The first of three matches this afternoon kicks off at 13:30 BST, as Cardiff City entertain Arsenal.

The visitors’ starting XI represents bad news for those who own the most in-demand FPL player on show in South Wales: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.2m) is only among the substitutes this afternoon. The Armenian features in more than one in five Fantasy squads and was the only Arsenal midfielder or forward to have played all 270 minutes of Premier League action this season.

Mkhitaryan recorded a goal, an assist and two bonus points in his side’s previous away league fixture at Chelsea in Gameweek 2.

Despite a tumble in ownership after three matches without an attacking return, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) is actually the fourth-most-popular captaincy choice of Gameweek 4 – though that only equates to just over 3% of all FPL managers.

Over 148,000 managers lost faith with the Gabonese striker this week and cashed in on his premium price tag.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) gets his first start of the season today, which presumably means Aubameyang will move out to the left flank to accommodate the Frenchman. Mesut Ozil (£8.3m) returns from illness to take Mkhitaryan’s place, with Alex Iwobi (£5.5m) also dropping out.

The hosts have registered two clean sheets in as many matches, with Neil Etheridge (£4.6m) currently the highest-scoring goalkeeper in Fantasy Premier League following those back-to-back shut-outs and a brace of penalty saves.

The Philippines international is also the most-owned City player in FPL, sitting in over 6% of our squads.

There is further disappointment for those hoping for a start for Lee Peltier (£4.0m) – the Bluebirds’ most-owned outfield player – who is only among the substitutes this afternoon.

Neil Warnock has made three changes to his side, all in attack: Bobby Reid (£5.4m), Danny Ward (£4.5m) and the fit-again Junior Hoilett (£5.3m) come into the starting XI.

Cardiff City XI (4-4-2): Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Arter, Ralls, Hoilett; Reid, Ward.

Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Cech; Bellerin, Monreal, Mustafi, Sokratis; Ramsey, Xhaka, Guendouzi; Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

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2,514 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Russell
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Kane to be essential in 90 mins?

    Moura might also put the Mhki vs Moura debate to bed

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Only concern with Moura is that Son will be back soon and that may damage his gametime

      1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        same but might do it until I WC, son has just finished a tournament and will need recovery time and if moura is on form why rush son back

        1. EgyptianKing
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          Yes, in the short-term he should still be OK and a very nice option.

          However next GW against Liverpool is tough

      2. Russell
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Yeah true, but think Pochettino is developing a front two with Kane and Moura which could become a strong partnership. Sons first game will come in the League Cup

        1. EgyptianKing
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          If that Kane - Moura duo materializes, then Moura will be absolutely essential at that price

    2. BrutalLogiC
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Kinda hope so. Even though I don't own him. Always think Aguero is going to get dropped or subbed whereas Kane is just steady.

    3. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Never will be this season imo

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      There is no debate. Mkhy is a FPL scrote. Out he goes forever

      1. Russell
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Haha that’s a great description!

  2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    How about this for a -4?

    Trent, Mhki, King -> Alonso, Maddison, Jimenez

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Impossible to be Ings instead of Jimenez?

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I could get Ings instead as have 0.1 spare but do fancy Jimenez as he's been unlucky not to get more goals and more nailed to start than Ings imo

  3. Fred54
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    'Lads, its Manchester United.'

  4. Whats the Mata?
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Y'all expect Zaha and Walcott to be fit for gw5?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      No idea. Not confident on Zaha as an owner, but no need to rush anything as we have the 0.1 buffer

      1. Whats the Mata?
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Why not confident on Zaha?

        1. Respect My Authoritah
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          No reason, just a feeling

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I generally expect Walcott to be injured every week.

  5. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    WC redone. Goodbye Mkhi

    Patricio Hamer
    Alonso Mendy TAA Bennett AWB
    Hazard Dilva Maddison Fraser Hojbjerg
    Aguero Kane Mitrovic

    1. Patch
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Billing rather than Hoj?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        That 0.1m is worth saving imo. Hojbjerg is a starter too no reason to make that move.

        1. Pierce34
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          I think Hojbjerg is more likely to be rotated (based on recent history of Southampton mids) but I see no reason not to save 0.1 on a player you'll rarely, if ever, need.

    2. zizzou123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Ward for Cardiff an OOP 4.5 Mid ..might be an option?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Possibly. Spotty appearance record though. I'll take someone who's going to go up in price though!

        1. Tatty Bojangles
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          This is why it might be best to go Billing. He’s the highest placed £4.5m currently and is on the front page for midfielders which will make a difference. Should hopefully get a few price rises out of him. He’s my cheapie currently.

  6. Brap.
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Foster cleanie or penalty save please baby jesus

  7. Arctic monkeys
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Activated my WC out of rage yesterday and I already have Lacazette;

    Should I keep or sell him now ?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Lol what? Why would you sell him now?

    2. Patch
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      What could have made you angry yesterday...Wally?

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        3 GWs of absolutely nothing

  8. Lovren an elevator
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Sucks that Smalling and Lindelof are ahead of bailly. Any chance he can get back in the starting line up?

  9. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    When do you envisage Son being an option again? GW6?

    1. CloudSky
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Hes back.

      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        I know, but he's just played in a competition, he won't be rushed straight back in.

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          Why not? If he's not playing this intl. weekend he can have 2 weeks rest and possibly start next game (but more likely to be used off the bench).

  10. Brosstan
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    lol@playing free stock dramatic action music on the stadium

  11. OldBenKenobi
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Any owners feel it’s a matter of time before Hart becomes an issue?

  12. zizzou123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Torreira impressed yet again. I'd say Guendouzi may have one more start in him before he's on the bench.

    1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      at best sharing minutes, more likely rotation

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I would love to see Torreira and Guendouzi start together with Xhaka benched. I think it's just his experience and set piece proficiency that keeps getting him starts.

      Torreira is the best defensive midfielder and Guendouzi, though at time a little headlesschickenesque is dynamic and puts some great positive passes in.

    3. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Would love to see a 4-3-1-2 from Arsenal:

      Leno
      Bellerin Mustafi Koscielny Monreal
      Guendouzi Xhaka Torreira
      Mkhi
      Laca Auba

    4. Dr. Agabuse
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Torreira to start the next

  13. Zebrahimović
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    On WC. Recon it’s worth doing Robbo—>TAA to free up 1.1 to make the 4th place midfield position a 6.7 allowing Pedro as a placeholder for Richarlison?

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Because of Liverpool's incoming fixtures?

      I agree that TAA is a good option at 5, but honestly I consider that Robertson justifies its premium. Super involved in attack, great threat. That left wing with Robertson and Mane is very dangerous, despite the opponent in my opinion

  14. Coaly
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Mkhi to Lingard

  15. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    If kane does well today

    Is auba and mkhi > kane + fraser worth a -8? Im not concerned about the hit paying off in one week - generally yes or no?

    1. Captain Knackered
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Yes definitely worth a -8.... In opposite land

  16. SADIO SANÉ
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Lamela is the issue for Moura not Son - they can easily move to a 'front 3' when Son returns, leaving the right wing to one of them

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      They've never ever done that.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        they have with Eriksen at CM 😉 and a back-4

    2. Dickie1898
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Maybe at home against the 'poorer' sides. Doubt it though, certainly not consistently.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        yeah probably

  17. Dr. Agabuse
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Slightly unbalanced but theres a team with
    Mendy Alonso
    Hazard Mane
    Aguero Laca Kane

    to build

    other starters would have to be
    Patricio
    AWB Benett
    Cairney

    bench 4.0def Hojberg Schneiderlin

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Yuck

    2. Point-one short
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      "Slightly unbalanced"!

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Yeah no thanks. Laca isn't worth destroying the rest of your team. You can fit the other 6 in though.

  18. foley200
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Who do you think are the best rotating keepers for the next few Gameweeks?

    1. AC Me Rollin
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Allison and Ederson

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Or this.

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          pretty expensive though

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Foster Patricio looks good.

  19. New Post
  20. alexh87
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Does this look a good WC?

    Patricio Foster
    Alonso Mendy Chilwell AWB Bennett
    Hazard Mane Pogba Ramsey Madd
    Kun Ings Mitro

  21. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Another Dublin goal

    All of a sudden it's nearly double scores

    1. Rogue Todd
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Dion?

      1. FPLtfs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        What team are Coventry playing against?

  22. FleckyT
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Worth WC?

    Hart | Pat
    Mendy | Robo | PVA | AWB | Bednarek
    Salah | Mane | Bsilva | Mhki | Guendouzi
    Aguero | Zaha | Ings

    After two great GWs to two poor GWs...

  23. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Patricio/Hamer
    Alonso/Mendy/TAA/AWB/Bednarek
    Salah/Hazard/Mkhi*/Walcott*/Hojberg
    Kun/Zaha*/Mitrovic

    1FT 0.0 ITB

    Already wasted my WC, any advice lads?

  24. ShababQ
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Which lineup looks better?

    A:
    Hennessey
    Wan-Bissaka-Alonso-Mendy
    Hazard-Moura-Mane-Fraser
    Lacazette-Aguero-Ings

    B:
    Pickford
    PVA-Alonso-Mendy
    Hazard-Mkhitaryan-Mane-Walcott
    Zaha-Aguero-Ings

    Thinking about WCing-

    Should I go to team A?
    Pickford, PVA, Mkhi, Walcott, Zaha out
    Hennessey, AWB, Moura, Fraser, Lacazette in

    WCing would also allow me to fix up the bench, not just these transfers.

  25. Tibbs
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Mkhi + Zaha>> Lacazette + Pereyra (-4)?

    Worth the hit?

    1. Rogue Todd
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Talk to me!

  26. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    If I play WC now, I assume I can still make any changes after IB and ahead of GW start? Also, if you lock down your team changes and price rises occur after but still during WC period you don’t lose out? True??

  27. Sasquatch Slayer
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Come on Lukaka. One more

  28. tractorjess
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Stuck for ideas and already feel like I'm seeking some differentials...

    Thinking Walcott + Arnie --> Kovacic + Vardy for a -4.

    Wishing I could afford Hazard.

    My front 8 is
    Salah Moura Mkhi Walcott Stephens
    Auba King Arnie

    Views/ ideas?

  29. Whits
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 14 hours ago

    This is my current team. Would you activate the #wildcard? I want two new GK's, possibly hazard for Salah, Mkhi needs and possibly Auba due to playing LW.

    Foster / Fabianski
    Mendy / Robertson / Alonso / AWB / Bedrenak
    Salah / Fraser / Townsend / Mkhi / Stephens
    Mitrovic / Auba / Aguero.

  30. mike09
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 hours ago

    Activated WC and this is my current team:

    McCharthy - Hennesey
    Mendy - Robbo - Alonso - AWB - Bennett
    Hazard - Mane- Schurrle - Richa - Mkhi
    Aguero - Wilson - Ings

    2.2 ITB

    Any suggestions?