Dugout Discussion
12 September 2020 1329 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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Tomas Soucek (£5.0m) starts for West Ham United amid concerns over his match fitness for Gameweek 1.

The player reportedly missed international duty with the Czech Republic on account of a quarantine period and missed some training too.

But the first chance David Moyes had to include the budget midfielder, he starts, against a Newcastle team that typically struggles to deal with the aerial threat of a player like Soucek.

They may also face a tough test competing with Michail Antonio (£6.5m) who has retained the centre-forward berth on the back of his exceptional Project Restart form.

That means Sebastien Haller (£6.5m) remains on the bench, where is joined by Ben Johnson (£4.0m), kept out of the team by Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m).

Callum Wilson (£6.5m) comes straight into the Newcastle team following his summer signing from Bournemouth.

He is paired with Andy Carroll (£5.5m) in a two-man strike-force while Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) and Jeff Hendrick (£5.0m) are tasked with providing the width from midfield.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Diop, Fredericks; Soucek, Rice; Fornals, Noble, Bowen; Antonio.

Newcastle United XI: Darlow; Lewis, Lascelles, Fernández, Manquillo; Saint-Maximin, Shelvey, Hayden, Hendrick; Carroll, C Wilson.

Best players by position:

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  1. Piggs Boson
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Thought Antonio was scoring then. So close 🙁

  2. Nightcrawler
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Wow soucek really is the new everton fellaini

    1. Rolls-Royce
      6 years, 1 month ago

      His goal scoring record for his previous club is ridiculous for a DM.

      1. Moderately content penguin
        6 years, 1 month ago

        DM?

        Don't think so

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Attacking DM

  3. Pedram
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Soucek nearly scored

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Dang! Nearly...

    2. Piggs Boson
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio was waiting right behind him too.

      Both look like the main threat for West Ham!

  4. Moderately content penguin
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Curiously Wilson did slightly better last season with big chances than in 2108/19

    then he missed 20 of 28
    last time just 10 of 18

  5. Champions League Varane
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Oh so close

  6. FDMS All Starz
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Which transfer looks better?

    A) Ings—> Martial
    B) Adams—> Wilson

  7. deathcabofdevil
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Czech Vieira almost scored.

  8. RAFA THE GAFFA
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Newcastle look good for the first time in a long time, right?

    1. KGFC
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Partly due to playing WHU who is even worse?

  9. Slitherene
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Is Salah essential now, despite his fixtures?

    1. Rolls-Royce
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool looked anything but convincing. So, no.

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Unconvincing in defence.

        In attack, they were swarming. Could easily have scored more.

        1. Dosh
          6 years, 1 month ago

          All teams won't play so open like Leeds.

    2. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No more or less than he was this morning

      1. Two Popes and a Gazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly. I think he is worth the 12.0 a smidgen more than Aubameyang or Mane, but this game doesn't affirm or change his underlying appeal an iota.

    3. Sgt Frank Drebin
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I think that if you won't have him for that Chelsea game nothing bad will happen...

    4. el polako
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kind of hope that masses will buy him.

  10. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Soucek close.

  11. Rains of Castamere
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Soucek averaging an attempt on goal every 15 mins.

    5.0

  12. SoapAFC
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys, I apologise if this has been previously talked about in detail etc, but I have come up with my "block captain theory", well not a theory per say rather more a tactic. Essentially you pick one player whom you can reasonably estimate will be one of the highest scoring players in the game, for example one could choose this year Salah, KDB, Auba etc, and you only captain them for the entire year. The reason I believe this could work is basically I don't trust my own intuition with selecting a top performer each week, I also am skeptical about choosing players for fixtures.

    Exceptions to this include: blanks, injuries, and when other players have a double gameweek.

    From what I say there are pros and cons.
    Pros:
    - You guarantee double one of the highest performers in the game points tally for the season.
    - You take away stress from choosing wrong or right captains
    - You avoid falling for captains that have "easier" fixtures like when they blank and then the player with the tougher fixture scores well anyway.

    Cons:
    - Very boring, takes away fun.
    - Not sure if the stats back this theory, whether human selection each week is likely to provide more points over a whole season, rather than guaranteeing a high scoring player's points for the whole season.

    What do you guys think of this? Again sorry if this has been discussed before..

    1. KGFC
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You mean perma captain... Right?

    2. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      It's been mentioned before, but even the best players do worse with worse fixtures. Plus if you chose Sterling last season then you'd have been screwed many times by Christmas.

    3. Barnabus
      6 years, 1 month ago

      It's not a good strategy overall. Even if you captain Salah all season and he hits 300 points, you're still only getting an extra 300 points from your captain over the season, whereas most top teams will be aiming to get over 500 points for their captain by selecting around the form and fixtures.

      1. SoapAFC
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Ah okay, see this is where I didn't know about the stats backing it up, thanks for those numbers I think that is a strong argument against using this tactic.

        1. Barnabus
          6 years, 1 month ago

          No problem. There's nothing wrong with captaining the same player for a spell of games in a row, provided you're taking each game on it's merits and considering the alternatives.

      2. Sgt Frank Drebin
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Not sure but 300 points extra from captain is a very good score. Aren't top teams aiming for over 500 points but overall from a captains? So perma captaining Salah's 300 points would get you 600 points and that would be a very good score.

        1. SoapAFC
          6 years, 1 month ago

          This is what I was thinking, but I think it won't apply to those within the top 10k who can get their best performing captain each week. But I would wager for the vast majority of players they would actually do better perma captaining one player, thus guaranteeing double their points for the season.

        2. Easy Cheesy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Agree. 500 extra points from captains means 13 points on average for that player. I’m sure it is 250 extra points from captains

    4. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Don't see the need for this at all.
      The captain pick is the No 1 pick for each gameweek and you suggest a set and forget set-up.....Nope.

      Off the top of my head I reckon you're conceding about 100+ points plus to the top 10k.

      It's a thought but not a winning one.

      1. SoapAFC
        6 years, 1 month ago

        So a similar point to Barnabus, it doesn't seem a viable tactic when competing in the top end of Fantasy. I would be interested to see hard numbers though on captains points earned over a whole season vs let's say double Salah's points for a season across different ranks in Fantasy.

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

          I don't have any hard numbers from previous seasons at hand but
          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/09/10/who-are-the-best-captain-options-for-fpl-blank-gameweek-1/
          shows you the rewards in getting the Captain picks right.
          I'd be hoping for 550 plus but I can't find a link to last seasons relatively poor captain pick totals.

          Maybe a rotating captain strategy would be worth a look. Man U & Citeh are obvious as they are on a clear home/away rotation so you could go KDB/Bruno home captain rotation.
          Still a no from me regardless, drives me mad when I get it wrong but it's the key to a good GW.

          1. SoapAFC
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks for linking that! As someone else mentioned it's 550 total including their overall points, so for example if you perma captain Salah and he gets let's say 230 points which is certainly possible, you're guaranteeing 460 points total. Which isn't that far off 550, for the average player I would imagine this would increase the amount of points they get hugely.

            1. SoapAFC
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Those hoping for 550+ are which players though? and how frequently is it actually achieved amongst the average player

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

                Having a look for some data.

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

                Couldn't find the data/thread discussing it before.

                It's often been discussed at the middle to end of season using data from this site (won't work till next week btw)

                https://www.anewpla.net/fpl/report/

              3. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Btw, top of article points out his 657 captain points total.

    5. One More Hit
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'm playing a ghost team due to all the strange stuff likely to happen this year. Until three days ago I had it on Salah (TC) with Auba vice, but bottled not having any city and swapped Salah for KDB last minute. I think there's a lot to be said for perma capping one of the big midfielders

    6. The Rhino
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think that's the way to go but I think it's a great topic to discuss. If your block captain has a great season and gets 230 points, you're only getting a captain point season total of 460. You want to be in the 575 point range for the total season tally for your captain picks. Fixtures and home games are what to focus on IMO when making a captain selection.

      1. SoapAFC
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for the comment, yep I didn't realise the point range was so high

        1. Easy Cheesy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          6 years, 1 month ago

          It isn’t. Top players get 200+ points. But most players try and get 250 points from the person they are picking as captain. It is close enough to not be a crazy idea (but not one I’d follow)

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

            Hmmm, see my post above. 250 isn't a target, it's a failure.

            1. Pommie22
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Watched a podcast other day regarding captain rotation and these guys went for it in a big way.
              I'll call them A & B.
              A: changed captain 15 times and scored 429 pts.
              9 captains for 1 game for 80 pts
              B: changed captain 14 times and scored 692 pts.
              4 captains for 1 game for 60 pts
              Most of B's choices seemed based on home or away and primarily who was playing bottom six clubs.
              Interestingly seeing as what hot topic is at (Mo)ment
              A had Mo 9 times for 120 pts and B had Mo 5 for 118
              Enjoy and good luck

  13. Manani
    6 years, 1 month ago

    soucek looking good. regretting not getting him now

    1. Dynamic Duos
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Fixtures though

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Forget him. If Shelveys nailed, he could be a bargain.

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      6 years, 1 month ago

      In 8 weeks maybe, even if he'll be 5.1m then if he scores tonight.

  14. Brosstan
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Absolutely pathetic from Klopp,needing VAR to beat Leeds at home...

    1. Rainer
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You're rusty.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Even on the 2nd attempt.

      2. Brosstan
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Nah, Klopp's rusty, making it this obvious..

  15. KGFC
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Voldemort ruins Wilson assist

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Best player on the pitch so far

  16. Dynamic Duos
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Where was ASM in that attack?

  17. Rainer
    6 years, 1 month ago

    xClose figure needed in the members area.

  18. BenDavies
    6 years, 1 month ago

    At 5.0 can you really look past Soucek? Goalscoring record is very good for a DM and clearly is being encouraged to attack by Moyes.

    1. Manani
      6 years, 1 month ago

      for 5m he is clear the best option by far, he;s too good for 8th attacker but still not sure playing him every week.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Will be interesting to see now Berge does
      Looked pretty impressive pre season and more attacking

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      6 years, 1 month ago

      He’s the demon spawn of an FPL threesome between David Moyes, Tim Cahill & Marouane Fellaini

      And I love him for it

  19. Pedram
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Damn ASM is a beast

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Not bad when invisible.

    2. Hiroku
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kinda like Traore until last season, though - no end product.

  20. Stokelona
    6 years, 1 month ago

    As a non-owner its a bit stressful having the game on the radio and repeatedly hearing "Soucek in the penalty area!"

  21. George Sillett
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Where's you know who with his Salah regression theory backed up with cherry picked stats ?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Somewhere celebrating his Salah(c) points.

      1. George Sillett
        6 years, 1 month ago

        You know who I mean ?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I've seen the thread.

      2. George Sillett
        6 years, 1 month ago

        You're quite right. Why persist in banging on constantly about it and then doing the opposite ?

        1. Mighty Banana
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Regression or not, doesn't mean a player is a bad choice.

          1. George Sillett
            6 years, 1 month ago

            This guy is the ultimate hypocrite.

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

          Why persist on worrying about him?
          You thought he was partially correct by not owning Salah and spending the money.
          Hard to factor in 2 penalties and you can always sell him.
          GW1 at home to Leeds where he thrives was always favourable.

          1. George Sillett
            6 years, 1 month ago

            I'm not "worried about him". Yes I constructed my own thoughts which so far look as though they were incorrect . Penalty takers always have to be considered . But to comprehensively use cherry picked stats to negate a player and bang on about it indefinitely and then pick him ?
            At least Lateriser12 stuck to what he believed.

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Would make more sense if you owned Salah.
              37 GWs to go and he could be proved right.

              1. George Sillett
                6 years, 1 month ago

                The proof of course as you intimate is over the full season. I won't own Salah for the full 37 GW's but all the best to those who do. It's not about him "being proved right " or not it's about the hypocrisy which I am sure that you recognise .

              2. George Sillett
                6 years, 1 month ago

                I freely admit TM that I have many faults but I do not say one thing and do another.

  22. how now brown cow
    6 years, 1 month ago

    This is a much better game than I thought it would be

  23. BenDavies
    6 years, 1 month ago

    West Ham defence is shambolic

  24. Piggs Boson
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Flashback of Andy Carroll in his prime then.

  25. One More Hit
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Took TC off Salah and gave it to Auba, so I could bring KDB in for my ghost team. Whoops

  26. Sgt Frank Drebin
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Starting to think Soucek may actually be a good value... And also, Wilson in after GW5 locked in

    1. Hiroku
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Even if he doesn't bring in many points, he's definitely fun to own. So much excitement whenever he's in the box.

    2. Dr. Rog
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Between him and batman based on fixtures

  27. Sting in the Tail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Is there anywhere to check for price rises tonight?

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      6 years, 1 month ago

      FPL Statistics - not 100% accurate but they get close.

  28. Paul Psychic Octopus
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Frustrating that Darlow was proved at 5.0m for a reserve goalkeeper in an average team last season.

  29. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    6 years, 1 month ago

    ASM is rapid, wow

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Defender had him covered.

  30. KGFC
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Wow ASM... wow!