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. OldBenKenobi
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If things stay as they are I’m doing Auba + Zaha > Aguero + Mitro (exact funds)

    1. Jafooli
      8 years, 1 month ago

      That’s a glory hole of a transfer. Do it.

      1. OldBenKenobi
        8 years, 1 month ago

        😆

    2. TAT
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good. Mitro is my Auba replacement before next GW as well.

    3. THE Wild Rover
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I’d do it anyway

  2. Jafooli
    8 years, 1 month ago

    % chance tonight will be Jose last game in charge of Utd?

    My sources telling me, win or lose, he’s gone.

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      8 years, 1 month ago

      2%

    2. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Anything other than a win and it's got to be c u next Tuesday you massive whopper.

      1. Jafooli
        8 years, 1 month ago

        😀

      2. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Burger King fan - obvs!

        1. Dannyb
          8 years, 1 month ago

          God no

    3. Licky
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think so, unless things get really bad he'll still be in charge.

  3. Ginkapo FPL
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If youre determined to play out from the back, dont your attacking players need to be constantly moving into space?

    1. Brosstan
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Laziness is too embedded in this Arsenal team. Players like Özil have to be cleared out.

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      It's terrifying watching Cech Mustafa and Sokratis passing it around themselves without any outlet.

  4. Pierce34
    8 years, 1 month ago

    It looks like we're at that part of the season where some people start considering bringing Xhaka in.

    1. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I hope so

    2. Pariße
      8 years, 1 month ago

      To be fair he’s actually being played as a deep lying CM that he actually is instead of being a DM. Guendouzi will take a lot of defensive duties away from him, including yellow cards. Still not a great fpl pick though.

  5. Babit1967
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Slippy G teaching the huns how to fall on their bum and lose a goal hehehe

    1. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      That is a sectarian team and has no place on here mate.

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        *term

      2. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I'm a Rangers fan and I've never found it offensive or sectarian as I hope The Great Unwashed don't find 'tims' offensive. 😉

        1. Babit1967
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Nah Tim to the bone I am lol

          1. Jafooli
            8 years, 1 month ago

            As a Jags fan, I find you both offensive.

    2. Fantastisk
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Pub league.

      1. Babit1967
        8 years, 1 month ago

        epl champions failed to beat Celtic, my nan could score in the epl

  6. MidTableFantasy
    8 years, 1 month ago

    1) Ings + Hazard
    2) Lacazette + Pedro

    1. MikeBravo
      8 years, 1 month ago

      1

  7. Oven Glover
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Peltier and Jazz must be really poor players if they’re playing second fiddle to Manga.

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Manga is normally good

  8. Four Hit Wonder
    8 years, 1 month ago

    So Guendouzi is nailed is he?

    1. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Looks to be, has played very well so far.

    2. TAT
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I think he is. The best player the have on the pitch.

      1. *sigh*
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I totally disagree.Always seems to be running a few yards from the ball and very often play goes past him.

        1. TAT
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Stats says otherwise. It's not like his teammates are doing fantastic either.

      2. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        You may be confusing best with most energetic.

  9. Differentiator
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Nice theatrics from Arsenal

    1. gergin
      8 years, 1 month ago

      6 dives for 32 minutes...all successful. What a mug, the ref is.

  10. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Lacazette hits the post

    1. Jafooli
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Shot off target = neg baps

  11. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero didn't hang about after the Newcastle game. He's just been interviewed by Brundle on the grid at Monza. He should have asked what the hell he was doing in the 92nd minute yesterday.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Another one of his famous international break getaways

      1. Jafooli
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Pad up the lampposts

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          8 years, 1 month ago

          😆

    2. Bolivian Seaman
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He's in moza already? tbh I'd be getting out of manchester if I had 2 weeks off as quick as possible

      1. Fantastisk
        8 years, 1 month ago

        This

    3. Syd.
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He has the next 2 weeks off, hasn't been called up by Argentina

    4. Rogue Todd
      8 years, 1 month ago

      2 hour flight away ffs

      1. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Granted, but what a life. Play football, earn shed loads, fly wherever you want. Well jealous.

        1. Syd.
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Don't forget about the silly haircuts

        2. Rogue Todd
          8 years, 1 month ago

          And wall to wall ho's

  12. Mic
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I miss the days where watching Arsenal was fun

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Showing your age.

  13. Dannyb
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Lacazette already done more in this game than Auba has so far this season.

  14. Differential C (Mark)
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Laca could have set Bellerin free on the right arghh

  15. *sigh*
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Been on Auba watch since start of the season so ive watched most of the games and I feel Guendouzi is the reason for their underperforming start.Granted he has potential but looks like he’s still in preseason and off the pace.Playing Torreira in his place would’ve given Arsenal more urgency and direction in the middle.

    1. DeathoftheParty
      8 years, 1 month ago

      It's almost like he was gold last year playing at pace as is found out playing a slow tempo... Who knows what Emery is thinking...

    1. Fantastisk
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Lol

    2. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Haha

    3. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Love it!

    4. dvdguy
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Gold

    5. Rogue Todd
      8 years, 1 month ago

      If you're 12

    6. Rock n Grohl
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Brilliant!!

  16. DeathoftheParty
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hope this Arsenal result holds for maximum lolz will a 2 minute Mhki appearance.

    1. Podge
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Better than WB off the bench

      1. DeathoftheParty
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I started him... What ya gunna do?

  17. BigBillyBass
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Just WC’d. Thoughts on this?

    Patricio (Bettinelli)
    Robertson Alonso Mendy (Bennett AWB)
    Hazard Mane Milner Dilva (Neves)
    Aguero Arnie Mitrovic

    1. OldBenKenobi
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No arsenal 10/10

    2. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Not keen on Milner and Arnie isn't firing. Good overall tho

    3. Botman and Robben
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team. Not sure of Milner but it could work out.

    4. BigBillyBass
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers. Taking a slight punt on Milner but he seems fairly nailed and on pens

  18. Four Hit Wonder
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Laca just needs a goal to start the bandwagon.

  19. KadMan
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is Ozil playing?

    1. Jafooli
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Last seen in 2015....

  20. Differentiator
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Alexandre Like-I-said

    1. Four Hit Wonder
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He's a La Cassette player.

    2. FC Barkerlona
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Lack-of-threat

  21. OPTA FPL
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Giggs to be new Cardiff manager apparently

    1. Jafooli
      8 years, 1 month ago

      *Tan’s wife buys new outfit*

  22. Macam Dave
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Wc gtg?

    Begovic
    Alonso robbo Mendy wanbiss (bennett)
    Mane hazard Fraser (Guendouzi) (billing)
    Aguero Kane Mitrovic

    Can this be improve? Thanks all very much

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Plenty of points in that side

    2. Dannyb
      8 years, 1 month ago

      That's one of the best I've seen mate tbh. Quietly copies team.......

      1. Macam Dave
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks both for your replies. This year rather than wait with lots of issues and three be forced into wild card I’ve done a wc proactively to try to get ahead on dropping salah and brining in Kane. Feels nice to be making decision on this rather than being forced into it!

  23. markmcr
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If Cardiff or Huddersfield stay up this year I'll be amazed

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      8 years, 1 month ago

      there is no way, what are the odds for a double up?

      1. Podge
        8 years, 1 month ago

        2/5 and 4/7 so 6/5 the double

        1. Bolivian Seaman
          8 years, 1 month ago

          i might put 10 grand on it 🙂

  24. Differential C (Mark)
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Cardiff attack made to look good by arsenal defending.

  25. Mic
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Love Joe Ralls!

  26. Syd.
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Cardiff look solid at home

    GW6 - Aguero (C)

  27. OPTA FPL
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ward 4.5 mid, playing striker no9

    1. Football Heaven
      8 years, 1 month ago

      My 2nd sub

  28. Federico
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Almost activated my WC yesterday, but decided it was to rash. However, I'm still tempted after giving it another day of thought. How about this?

    Ederson - 4.0
    A- M - R - WB - Bennett
    Haz - Mané - Richarlison* - Fraser - Billing
    Aguero - Vardy - Mitrovic

    Maybe Pedro as a placeholder for Rich.

    1. Podge
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Nice

      1. Federico
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, it's just too difficult finding funds (even scraps) to get what I want with a couple of transfers.

        You like the Vardy pick? Shouldn't be too difficult upgrading to Kane if needed.

    2. OPTA FPL
      8 years, 1 month ago

      no Salah ???

      1. Federico
        8 years, 1 month ago

        If I keep him, I don't have enough funds to go around. The decision to WC for me, depends on taking the risk to go without.

  29. Mic
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hope Arter isnt injured