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. EL tridente
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Time to sell Salah for Mane and find a way to get Kane in the team?

    1. yakirh
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Just what I was thinking
      Maybe its Kane time

    2. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No, different ways to play the game but stats don’t back this up.

    3. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Maybe but get someone else

    4. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Maybe but get someone else

    5. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Have all 3

  2. badgerboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Surprised Random Name hasn't checked in yet 😀

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Laca haven’t scored yet

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        True.

  3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    glad i couldnt afford richarl to mkhi now 😕

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Well, was between Mkhi and Wally for me. Both bad picks anyway.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        i went wally too.....fixtures looked good

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Pedro was the smart pick.

          1. Drexl Spivey
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            No, he was the pick that paid off.

    2. Point-one short
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Happy I went pedro - the Richarlison replacements have been a minefield

    3. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      At least you didn't go for Gross 🙁

  4. SPorting
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    No wonder Mkhi got benched if he still insists on wearing gloves in this weather.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      The Henry gloves. A sign of skill.

      1. SPorting
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        The shadow puppet master. Lovely dog he’s got going on there.

    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      needs a snood 😉

    3. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He’s a nervous one. The gloves keep him from biting his fingernails.

  5. SPorting
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Wished I’d done Mkhi to Wally now.

    1. mir
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Really? Likely same points and could be more.

      1. SPorting
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Same same but different same.

    2. MikeBravo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Wish I'd never brought in Richarlison to be sent off, and then replaced him with Gross, pen miss -1

      1. Point-one short
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Unlucky!

        1. MikeBravo
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          And I thought the Gross move was so clever, turned out Propper Gross...boo, hiss!

    3. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      One of them will start next one and got you points. The other is Walcott.

  6. MikeBravo
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Don't know if this has been asked before, but could there be a way of inserting your squad as a screenshot onto this forum? Seems like it would make things easier for a lot of users.

    1. SPorting
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Nope otherwise there would be some users posting some unsavoury pics.

      Imgur link is the closest you can get.

      1. MikeBravo
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Fair enough.

  7. Pariße
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Kind of feel bad I sold Lacazette for Mitrovic last night, but I have to make way for Alonso I guess.

  8. Sasquatch Slayer
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Schürrle to Mkhi a few weeks ago when Schürrle didn’t start seemed like such a no brainer at the time . Now looking like an absolute disaster

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      haha true

  9. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    New team. Nailed. WC team ready. Gtg??!

    Hennessey (or Patricio) - Hamer
    Alonso - Mendy - Gomez - Doherty - WB
    Hazard - Sterling - Mane - Pedro/Rich - Billing
    Aguero - Mitrovic - Ings

    Any changes and what GK do you prefer? Ta!

    1. Point-one short
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      gomez and mane at risk of rotation with CL - good squad depth to cover though. I like it.

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks! That’s why I like it. Pretty balanced, decent bench. Had TAA since start but fancy Gomez now as differential. Have to stick with Mane on current form and no Salah. Cheers for the feedback Shin! 🙂

  10. RashFraud
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    So what are we doing with Mkhi now?

    1. MTPockets
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Waiting 2 weeks

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Might watch the game first and then decide 😉

    3. SPorting
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Relaxing and watching the game. You?

      1. RashFraud
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Watching the game. But not relaxing. ML rival has auba (c)

    4. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Will decide after this gane

    5. Dr. Agabuse
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      lose

    6. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Wait and see..could easily do a Pedro today.

      1. RashFraud
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Hoping for this

  11. Dr. Agabuse
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Imagine three goals between Kane and Auba today and more than 3pts for Ramsey (who I have anyway) then WC

    Patricio/4.5
    Alonso Mendy Rico AWB // Bennett
    Ramsey Mane Fraser // Hojberg Schneiderlin
    Aguero Auba Kane

    1. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      That’s not bad with those big three up top!! I like it! 🙂

  12. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Trying to avoid wc:

    Salah -> hazard
    Cairney -> Fraser (or maybe Maddison)

    If Zaha is still out then him out instead of Cairney.

    Leaves me no Liverpool attackers for game v Spurs which I'll risk.

    Then:
    Pogba -> Mane
    Walcott -> Richarlison

    Both for hits and then WC GW 9 or 10 depending on how this goes

  13. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Interesting re the 'Visit Rwanda' sponsorship that Arsenal have:

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/29/rwandas-30m-arsenal-sponsorship-divides-opinion

    1. MTPockets
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kagame's accused by some of pretty terrible things.

  14. jia you
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Auba, my last player, time to shine cutting in from the left!

    1. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Peltier will take care of him 😎

      1. jia you
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Wouldn't surprise me one bit the way he has been playing! If he blanks again, I might sell him for Kane!

        1. Oven Glover
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Lucky for you Peltier isn’t playing. GL!

          1. jia you
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Haha, didn't notice, checking the Cardiff line up not on my to do list 😉

    2. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      If he doesn't do anything today it will be time to admit that our Salah-less strategy has failed. (i.e. we've both had a great start but not because we ditched Salah!)

      1. jia you
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        He needs to do the biz today mate!

  15. Dragon Arcana
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Never got why Mkhi was such a popular pick. Was trying to warn people but would have become a full time job. He’s not a great player anymore. Anyway UTG

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I warned people too, and now he is sitting there in my team 😀 points from the bench hopefully!

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        in my defence, I would have got Pedro last week instead if Ozil wasn't ill 😉

    2. jia you
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      always going to be rotation with him, Ozil, Ramsey, Iwobi, Laca.

  16. EL tridente
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    How does this WC team look?
    Patricio, (Ryan)
    Alonso, Mendy, Cedric, Wan Bissaka, (Boly)
    Hazard, Mané, Maddison (Neves, Højbjerg)
    Kane, Aguero, Ings

    1. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Like it. Gtg!

  17. Alexis Nonsense
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Billing coming in for Zaha and Moura instead of Mhki

    Looks like I finally did a couple of right moves...

    Just need a Moura brace now to jump up the ladder

  18. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Bottom line, smart mangers selected Pedro as their Richa replacement, others chose wally or Mkhi...I'm in the latter group.

    1. sambyy
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Pedro was benched and Walcott started -> Walcott was better decision.

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Pedro isnt the right answer either

      Might get benched again and again, wont be lucky to get a goal in every sub appearance 😮

      Will need a regular start...

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      😉 nice words
      people got Wally Mkhi just followed the crowd, they saw so many people got them so they were afraid of it, just got them and thought "oh I am safe'.

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        You realise Pedro started on the bench as well?

    4. suddenorgan
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      some chose Billing and benched him 🙂

    5. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Wut

    6. JÆKS ⭐
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      How on earth was Pedro the smart choice, if anything he was the casual pick. More informed managers knew he was gonna be rotated with Willian while Mhki was much more nailed

  19. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Cech. smh. The guy isn't comfortable passing out from the back - why is he being made to do it?

  20. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Currently eating leeks.

    1. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Deep fried?

  21. manu4life99
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    WC or no?

    Patricio Foster
    Mendy Robertson Alonso Daniels WanBiska
    Mikhi Walcott Mane Salah Stephens
    Aguero Zaha Ings

  22. Fantastisk
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Mkhi on against tired legs?

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      If you're lucky

  23. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Hey guys, how nailed on is Bennett for Wolves?

    Cheers

    1. Reiger
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Nailed

      1. Oven Glover
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I wouldn’t be so sure.

    2. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Dendoncker lurking

    3. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Pretty much. I’ve got him

  24. TAT
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Damn, Arsenal look horrible in the opening.

  25. TAT
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Damn, Arsenal look horrible in the opening minutes.

  26. Superflymonk
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Wasn't there someone here counting on Mikhi (C) to save his gameweek? Must be hoping he doesn't turn up at all.

  27. FPLEL
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Mkhi had better stay put, I want Ings' 8.

  28. tvz32
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    I have both Mkhi and Pedro in the team. Too much uncertainty?

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Not sure

  29. Baps Hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Cech is a disaster to happen like Alisson.

  30. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Wow cech