Dugout Discussion

Still no Barkley or Konsa for Villa as Allardyce era gets underway at West Brom

Sam Allardyce takes charge of West Bromwich Albion for the first time this evening.

The Baggies take on Aston Villa in the last of four Premier League matches to take place on Sunday, with kick-off in the Black Country at 19:15 GMT.

The former Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and England head coach has succeeded Slaven Bilic in the hot seat the Hawthorns, with the Croat losing his job following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at the Etihad.

The impressive showing against Manchester City and limited time with his new charges has persuaded Allardyce to name an unchanged side from Gameweek 13.

As for the visitors, Dean Smith welcomes back two players from suspension today – and both return straight to the starting XI.

Douglas Luiz (£5.0m) and Matty Cash (£5.0m) are newly available after one-match bans and replace Marvelous Nakamba (£4.3m) and Ahmed Elmohamady (£4.3m) in central midfield and at right-back respectively.

There is still no Ross Barkley (£5.9m) for the Villans, as the loanee nears a return from a hamstring injury.

The ill Ezri Konsa (£4.8m) also isn’t part of the 18-man matchday squad.

FPL’s most popular goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez (£4.9m), starts between the posts and will be hoping to continue his fine form on the road.

The Villa custodian has registered clean sheets in four of his side’s five away fixtures this season, averaging 6.6 points per match on his travels.

Jack Grealish (£7.8m) is the most-owned player on show: he sits in 43.2% of Fantasy squads at present, with only Son Heung-min (£9.7m) proving to be a more in-demand purchase among midfielders.

Not one of Albion’s players is owned by more than 2% of FPL managers.


West Bromwich Albion XI: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, O’Shea, Gibbs, Phillips, Sawyers, Livermore, Gallagher, Diangana, Grant.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Hause, Mings, Targett, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Traore, Grealish, El Ghazi, Watkins.

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1,454 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would take a Villa CS to get me over the 80 mark. Jammy West Brom goal incoming.

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I need one to breach 50 points!

      Spare a couple of points sir?

  2. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Those wildcarding in GW16, who's your top priorities?

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Need to decide my chip strategy for GW 18 & 19 first. Then will build my squad according to that.

  3. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hindsight is 20:20 but I'm sick I captained KDB over Bruno or Salah.

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeh I went Kane, spewing

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        it's quite annoying

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I sold Vardy to get Salah in gw13 then sold Salah for Kdb in 14. Captained Kane over Bruno this week. That’s just the last 3gw’s been at this $h1te all season ha

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Man i feel a bit better about myself now lol. It has been an indifferent season to say the least

    3. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Well.. I have Salah, KDB and Son but opted to captain Grealish. I got to finish 2020 a bang.

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Still a couple of GWs left to captain Bissouma and Maupay and go out with absolute fireworks lol

        1. Greasy Grealish Gang
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Might as well get Auba in! To be fair, everything except captaincy has worked out pretty well here so I'll take this one on the chin.

    4. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I went Son 🙁

  4. A Fat Spanish Waiter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any word on severity of Vardy’s injury?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hes fine, confirmed it after the game

    2. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers guys.

  5. Gentlemens club
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Grealish Chilwell -> Fernandes Dallas for free?

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That’s certainly an upgrade

  6. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    which cheap striker is better to bring till gw19 inclusive (free hit gw18):

    A adams
    B antonio

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A is a safer bet.

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Adams

      Antonio too much injury risk
      Also Soton more attacking team

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        cheers

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Has to be A

  7. HNI
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hey guys need your thoughts
    Worth having both Son and Kane as part of BB chip team for dgw 19? Great run from Fulham onwards but they not being as bad as before and was looking to just have Son and use rest of transfers to get dgw players like Che Adams...

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not just saying this cause Vardy outscored Kane today (honest) but if you don’t have Kane then Vardy is a great option from 16 if using FH in 18

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Southampton and Chelsea are perfect fixtures for Vardy too

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Palace and Newcastle in 16 and 17 as well

  8. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it too much to ask for a Targett CS and brace?

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Slightly

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lol would love the same

      But we need his clean sheet more so

    3. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Amen.

  9. RyanMK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bruno to Salah for the next 2-3 GWs? Yes/no?

    1. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You need both

      1. RyanMK
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Other options are to transfer out KDB or Kane (I don't have Son). They both have better fixtures though. Decisions decisions.

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I’m selling KDB

        2. Old Bull
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I’ll say it again, Bruno and Salah. Not sure KDB can match either returns at the moment

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don’t know. Leicester will attack which suits United just like the Leeds game. Leicester are better defensively of course.

  10. Old Bull
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What would you do GW19?

    Bench boost with 2 players playing once, everyone else 2 games in theory

    Or Free hit.

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Can’t you transfer 2 more in ?

      1. Old Bull
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No, that would mean losing a couple I don’t want to loseo

    2. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. Bench boost, especially if your SGW players are folks like Son or KDB.

      1. Old Bull
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Son and DCL at early prices

  11. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will Bruno get 3 bonus points? Or we think he's just getting the 2?

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just 2

      1. FPLMACKEM
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sometimes it adjusts again when the points are finalised. I hope he gets three with mctominay.

  12. Dont give a fuchs
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    James grealish and Wilson to Robertson Neto and Bamford for -4?

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Grealish —> el Gazi or Neto for me

      Jack has become boring and the PK cowardice is galling

  13. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Fair play to Grealish, he gets tackled so much. Yes he does whine a bit to the ref when it happens but his overall game doesnt suffer. Compare to someone like Zaha who starts sulking and goes missing if he gets fouled 2-3 times in a row without getting a free kick.

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm an owner and think this is absolutely spot off as per.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Im an owner and I need him to save my season so Im keeping a positive spin on things so far

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          He might read our comments at half time and want him to be in high spirits

          1. Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I doubt he reads our comments lol. Yeah obviously he might browse the website but there's lots of comments.

          2. Firminooooo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            We all love you Mr Grealish. Now, get us some points.

    2. Greasy Grealish Gang
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      This is spot on.

  14. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which is better?

    A. TC Mo for dgw 19
    B. C Mo for dgw 19 + BB (Martinez + Konsa + Anguissa + Balbuena)

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe A. Not sure on double villa and is balbuena nailed

  15. Champione
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Worth holding on to Meslier? Decent fixtures coming up but can't see any CS on the horizon

    1. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would use transfers elsewhere. Especially if you're building a DGW19 squad

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      better options elsewhere for that

      Fab and Mcc

  16. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Did Potter give any indication re lamptey absence?

    Is he likely to be back next week?

    Thanks

    1. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      And about Ryan/Sanchez?

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Lamptey was out with a knock

        I know he is carefully managed but could do with him available for a couple of week before he goes as part of the dgw19 plan

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Potter "Lamptey has recovered well"
      Then leaves him out of the squad altogether.

      Potter is a huge fraud

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ar least he should have a chance for next weekend then....

  17. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Should've taken the hit to upgrade Rash to Bruno 🙁

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Major hindsight there, was never worth a hit

  18. MOZIL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Dallas or Coufal??

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal

    3. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Both

  19. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez ¦ Forster
    Coufal Lamptey* Taylor
    KdB Salah Bruno Grealish
    Vardy* Watkins Wilson
    ¦ Soucek Ayling Lascelles*

    2 FT, 0.4 ITB

    Ayling to Holding?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Holding? What have I missed. Arsenal are awful

  20. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    One attacking return Grealish please and a clean sheet.

  21. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Come on Villa WestBrom only 10 players

  22. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Grealish needs to be more direct. Be like Bruno/Salah and just shoot when you get the chance

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He's absolutely no where near that level lol

      1. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        When did I say he was?

  23. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Grealish misses a sitter ...

    1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What game are you watching?

  24. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone besides me going with 7 players for both GW18 and 19 without using any chips? I am satisfied with my team and really not into idea of breaking it apart just to field as much players possible for either GW18/19

    1. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would if I could

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Why are you not using chips on what’ll likely be biggest dgw of the season. Plus it’s mid season where all teams have something to play for

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I dont like free hitting for 18 with players that will be available, and free hitting for 19 seems kinda pointless since i will already have 7 players that i would bring with FH. Possibly TC may be an option

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Various options available. TC salah for 2 home games looks great. You could build up the team for 19 using transfers now, for example city are not firing so I’m going to lose kdb soon and get some more dgwers and will FH in 18 and either BB or TC in 19. Just feel it’s worth attacking this double as not going to be the normal big dgw later in the season

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If I sacrifice GW18. I can put of a strong BB squad for DGW19. I'll do that, having maybe 6 active players for the blank.

    4. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not using fh or wc. Not sure if tc Salah or even bb navigating with transfers.

      I have 7DGW players already. 3x Leeds, Adams, Salah, Fernandes, James, and 2FT atm.

  25. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McGinn close would have been Grealish assist

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      🙁

  26. Team Bobcat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone know where Greenwood was today. I assume just a rest as he was favoured against city. Any reason for an owner to panic?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d get rid, so many good options this season

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He is kinda my differential. He is certainly that says you:)

  27. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Zouma injured?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not AFAIK. James is.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Day off training, find out tomorrow.

  28. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sometimes I watch Grealish and think he is so casual and never seems to bust a gut to get anywhere like Bruno would!

    I feel like he could score so much more with a bit of energy!

  29. Londongeezaa
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Greaslish owners, if he doesn’t return against 10 man WBA what do we do?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Got to hold for palace

    2. lordkippe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Easy keep for next gw

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        then lose for GW16 on.

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Get someone who returns vs 10 men WBA

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        😉

  30. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Grealish more advanced second half.