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. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy Nyland
    Dias Chilwell Taylor Justin Konsa
    Bruno KDB Son Grealish Bissouma
    Kane Wilson Bamford
    2ft. , 0.3m in the bank - I will use WC before 16gw.

    How can I buy Salah?

    1. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane and Grealish to Salah and Adams

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        this

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

        looks very good. Thank you!

        1. Jam0sh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Don't you want Kane for gw16?

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            WC

  2. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with Mahrez and Reece James?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      sell

  3. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    FFD just shoot Jack!

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

    Won't lose a wink of sleep transferring out Grealish. He's a pace setter, not a serious FPL option anymore.

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

      Been frustrating recently but still great option for next gw

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I need to transfer out Grealish and Watkins

  5. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish & Watkins ➡ Bowen & Bamford for 2 FTs..?
    Also as part of preparation for DGW

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

      Just do Bamford

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think I would rather go a bit cheaper with Soucek and use the funds in players like Robbo

  6. Orion
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    R. James and Brewster to TAA and Welbeck worth a hit?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Prefer Robbo but players bringing in plus hit should outscore your current players

      1. Orion
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, I’m not alone 🙂

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      James doesn’t need surgery though so should he back in a game or two.

  7. Steve Stiffler
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who wins?

    48 with Zouma to play or
    47 with Chillwell and Taylor to play?

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

      47

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      47

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The latter.

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      47

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

    Grealish isn't good enough. There's a reason he plays for villa.

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

      Take off your tinfoil hat would ya

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

      Put better players around him and he would take it up another notch. Christ, even Barkley raises his game

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is there a specific reason why the vast majority of your posts are either wumming or just generally crap ?

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

        I'm just expressing my opinion

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Just read your previous posts and reassess. Most 15 year olds would be embarrassed by them.

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

            I'm just being myself, I'm not concerned if its how you or anyone else believes I should behave

            1. George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Sums things up in a nutshell. At what point have I mentioned your behaviour? You have missed the point completely

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

                You are likening how I act to that of a child

                1. George Sillett
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Yet again you miss the point. Nothing to do with your behaviour. Do you require that it's made very simple for you ?

  9. puhd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I’ve got 2 ft. I’m thinking:
    James, Grealish and Wilson out
    Douglas Soucek and Kane in

    McCarthy
    Dallas James Taylor Targett Coufal
    KDB Bruno Son Salah Grealish
    Brewster Bamford Wilson

    1. puhd
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone?

  10. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My three differential against my rival are James, Grealish and Bamford.

    Perhaps he’s just far superior to me

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Haha I know the feeling, KDB Son Grealish for me

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

    Cant wait for Villa fixtures to turn to end this Martinez Jam

    1. Superflymonk
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Me too. Being punished for owing players like mendy in goal

  12. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who is Holding's direct competition?

    Is he nailed?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Luiz. I don't think so.

  13. Salah_Fingers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Aby ideas, for once I can't see an obvious move? 2fts 0.1itb

    Martinez
    Coufal - Cancelo - Dallas
    KDB - Son - Salah - Bruno - Soucek
    Bamford - DCL

    (Wilson - Lampety - Mitchell)

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lamptey swap?

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson > Adams or Cancelo > Dias for safety

    3. puhd
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe fix your bench

    4. Salah_Fingers
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thank you

  14. puhd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    James, Grealish Wilson out
    Douglas Soucek Kane in

    Current team:
    McCarthy
    Dallas Coufal Janes Taylor Targett
    KDB Salah Son Grealish Bruno
    Bamford Wilson Brewster

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

      -4? Yeah why not

      1. puhd
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes I’ve got 2ft

  15. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts here? Planning for dgw19 TC/BB and either ride out or FH18.

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Taylor
    Son KDB Bruno Soucek
    DCL Watkins Bamford

    4.0 Ziyech Lewis Ayling

    Thoughts on Ayling, Ziyech, KDB to Robbo, Salah, Anguissa for a -4.

  16. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    You better not drop before your farewell appearance in my team next GW, Grealish!

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m also ditching! This week or next. Might WC this

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

    3 - Traoré (29)
    2 - El Ghazi (28)
    1 - Mings (26)

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Get in Mings big man! Get up for a goal too !

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Martinez?

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

        20

        1. STEP rOVERS
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Mings yellow should change that

  18. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I had a 4-week strategy I am now tempted to rethink after Spurs’ abject performance today.

    I got rid of Vardy on my wildcard and now want to get him back. How does using 2 FTs Lewis > Taylor and Kane > Vardy sound? If KDB doesn’t do the business against Newcastle I will ditch him for Son for FUL(H) (if spurs do ok against wolves). Would leave me with:

    Martinez
    Taylor / Balbuena / Bednarek
    Salah(c) / KDB / Grealish / Fernandes
    Vardy / Bamford

    Subs: Button / Brewster / Justin / 3.8

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You can't really change a strategy based on one result, can you?

      1. Plagued by indecision
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ok how about 2/3 (or 4) - spurs poor against Palace, lost to Liverpool, terrible today... if bad against Wolves, ditch Kane?

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          They are going to be bad against Wolves, but I wouldn't let that sway you. 😉

          I'm keeping both Son and Kane for the game v Sheff U in the double and also bringing in Vardy.

          1. Plagued by indecision
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Good shout. I think I’ll take a few days to consider this. I would like Vardy, but you need more starters for the blank week.

  19. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins misses Grealish A

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

      oh man

  20. mitro
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So Reece James is out for 2 weeks. Should I sell (for Dallas) even with the double gameweek looming?

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

      Is that confirmed? I might hold and hope he’s back for double

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

        Me too

      2. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not sure with an ongoing issue he'll start 2 games in gw19.

      3. mitro
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes it is however he might be a rotation risk going forward

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

          Might need to scrap BB in 19 and just TC salah

  21. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If villa cant score one more against a 10 men team.. Then the hype has died

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

      Missing Barkley

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

    Terrible Targett

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

      Hope he gets a bonus

  23. luk46
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    before I burn a transfer, KWP > Coufal is the obvious choice with nothing itb, right?

    Martinez / Steer
    Robbo Chilwell Alioski / KWP Taylor
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish / Bissouma
    Adams Bamford DCL

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      There are midweek games. wait.

      1. luk46
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        ye, gonna wait anyway... just thinking ahead already 😀

  24. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any 4.1 defender who has a chance to play in GW15?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      After that drubbing, Mitchell could have a chance back into the team

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

      Strujik at 3.9 came in at HT for Leeds today. Don’t know how Ferguson is doing with his recovery. Liverpool lad done ok last day.

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Any Leeds injuries that could help him to get a start?

  25. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Will Balbeuna start tomorrow?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hope so, but no news

    2. JJO
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I really hope i will funally have some luck and he will be out for tomorrow

  26. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Really feels like Grealish won’t score today...

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sadly I agree

  27. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Dallas or Coufal next gw?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Coufal

  28. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish to Zaha?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I get slated whenever I suggest he might be a better option.

      In truth neither producing much

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm tempted but prefer Soucek and upgrade elsewhere

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

      Think they’re both as likely/unlikely to do well. The one you don’t have will score

      1. Jindaljain
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Zaha with good fixtures

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ok if he fits into your bgw/dgw plans

  29. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    mings stupidity YC,out of bps

  30. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Probability of Grealish scoring/assisting?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      0.000002%

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      0.1%