Dugout Discussion
8 March 2021 1234 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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West Ham United will attempt to once again reduce the gap between themselves and a UEFA Champions League qualification spot to two points when they face Leeds United in east London tonight.

Kick-off at the London Stadium is at 20:00 GMT.

Chelsea were victorious over Everton in the early-evening fixture, leaving the Hammers five points adrift with two games in hand.

West Ham have won seven of their 10 Premier League matches this calendar year, scoring 17 goals in the process; only the two Manchester clubs have netted more.

Inconsistency has dogged Leeds’ otherwise commendable first season back in the top flight, with Marcelo Bielsa’s troops unable to string together more than two wins on the bounce.

There is plenty of interest in this fixture from a Fantasy perspective, with three players on each side owned by 10% of FPL bosses or more.

Patrick Bamford (£6.8m) features in more than one in two Fantasy squads going into tonight’s game, while Aaron Cresswell (£5.8m) remains FPL’s most-owned defender.

On the team news front, there are two changes for the hosts.

Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) is fit again and replaces stand-in Darren Randolph (£4.3m), who himself is unavailable through injury.

Said Benrahma (£6.0m) comes in for Ben Johnson (£3.9m) as the Hammers change shape to a back four.

Bielsa has made only one alteration following his side’s defeat by Aston Villa last time out.

Kalvin Phillips (£4.9m) is back following his recent lay-off, replacing budget FPL defender Pascal Struijk (£4.0m) in the middle of the park.


Leeds United XI: Meslier, Ayling, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Costa, Roberts, Klich, Raphinha, Bamford.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Fornals, Lingard, Benrahma, Antonio.

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  1. Firminooooo
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    47 points and down to 130k OR. Think I will go crazy maverick until the end of the season now. Goal is top 1k for 3 years in a row.

    1. TheDragon
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Impossible from there surely - that’s 150 points

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Subtle

      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        ...as a bag of hammers

    3. FPL DONKEY
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      If you got your WC left you could maybe get near top 10k

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      50 and only stones and Gundog; no way I’m staying in 100k

    5. Don Kloppeone
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Aim high bro!

      I’ve readjusted my goals now.

      Realistically aiming for max top 30k with only WC left and currently at 65k

  2. fr3d
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sold triple Leeds GW26 😎

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Keeping them and put on the bench, ready for BGW29

      1. FPL DONKEY
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        They'll remind you what the B stands for in BGW

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          (B)eautiful?

      2. fr3d
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        They won't get anything at Fulham

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          They will I promise

    2. Chrisitis
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Dcl/Barnes in?
      Great move

  3. Under my Cucurella
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who are gonna be the top pics on WC if you're doing it 30/31. Struggling to plan who I want.

    1. TheDragon
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      You don’t need to plan as you have a WC

      1. Under my Cucurella
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I mean think ahead

  4. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I thought Lingard was utter garbage tonight. Terrible penalty as well.

    1. No Professionals
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure how anyone could pick lingard out amongst all of the dross in the Leeds team.

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Probably because I brought him in this week so was watching him closely.

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Pony pen.

      1. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Bamford much worse

  5. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Antonio was awful FF wise today. He could play 10 games like that without generating anything. Leeds boys were disappointing but predictable; Antonio was totally flat in a blow up spot

    1. El Presidente
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      True, Antonio was horrible tonight

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Load of rubbish. He was massive up the pitch. FF-wise he was more of an enablers for his teammate but he had an impactful game.

        1. Riverside Red
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Which match were you watching..He was off the pace and didn't get into any dangerous positions

        2. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Terrible take. He wasn’t in the queue for the pens or direct fk, blocked off the keeper on every set piece and spent the entire second half as a winger.

          Did a job for the team irl, but he can’t play like that any justify a place in our squads

  6. michaelington
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Leeds to do a Blackpool 10/11?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      The league has figured them out; they may do a Sheffield

    2. HODGE
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      What did they do?

      1. michaelington
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Went on a disastrous run at the end of the season when they were flying for the most part, eventually getting relegated.

    3. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No chance...they will invest next season

  7. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Bamford, DCL & Vardy been doing me well the last couple of GWs. What a bunch of muppets. Season over.

  8. jtreble
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    FFS hoping the whole Football Index issue will blow over: https://twitter.com/reuser5/status/1369043053160370181?s=21

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Interesting to see if they have the decency to come out and own this one. I don’t think he’s the last to make this season their last as a paying member

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Think he is standing by his principles, going to be many more doing the same!

  9. El Presidente
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Let's all take a moment for Bamford's wasteful performance.. Incredible.

  10. Pompel
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Bomford against Chelsea not looking so hot now

    1. HODGE
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Never was a great fixture but he could score

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Will his get 4 big chances again?

      1. Chrisitis
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Will Chelsea rest some players?

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          They will rest their B team lol

        2. Riverside Red
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          No only Mount (their best player)...probably bring him on with 20 minutes to go when 2-0 up

          1. Hy liverpool
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            He won't 2nd leg vs Ateletco madrid so no

  11. gonzalocampos
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    59 points, from 20K to 16K. Cancelo, Dias and Gundo (C) to play. Happy days.

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      37 with same to play and Dias (C) punt. 147k to 200k.

  12. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    The truth is that Cresswell's ownership is 25% but i rarely see him in teams on this forum.

    1. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Correct me if i'm wrong.

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

        You aren’t wrong. I’m definitely getting him soon

      2. TOPCAT1960
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I just posted my team a couple of pages back Cresswell, Coufal and Antonio

      3. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Agree, felt like I was alone enjoying his hauls week in week out!

        His EO points against me is less than 2 despite scoring 12

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Hello o/

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Haha! Well done for keeping

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I've had him since gw17. It's one of the very few things I got right this season.

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Got him since DGW19, double with Coufal for sometimes until let Coufal go few weeks ago

    4. jason_ni
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Hes probably my only differential.. and that probably won't last for long now!

    5. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I brought Cresswell in for Chilwell in gw15 🙂

    6. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I've got him...on the bench...big mistake as I thought Leeds would score. In fact Leeds should have scored

    7. Jars458
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Had him for ages. Fantastic pick.

  13. Don Kloppeone
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Call me Billy Shakespeare cos I’m good at tragedies:

    * Sold Bruno for Son
    * Still have Salah
    * Shaw 3rd on bench
    * Coufal 2nd on bench
    * Started 3 blanking Leeds men
    * My Cup opponent brought in JWP for Barnes and is ahead by 18pts
    * Capped Gundo (could be ok but knowing my luck he’ll be benched!)

    This season has been like standing on a cold, wet day with people lining up to throw buckets of ice water over you.

    😆

    (Yes this is mainly tongue in cheek/ melodramatic but a good old moan is good for you sometimes 😉 )

    1. TheDragon
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      All those are perfectly solid decisions this week - just one of those weeks

      1. Chrisitis
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Coufal better pick than Dallas surely?

      2. Don Kloppeone
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yeh the solid/ justifiable decisions on paper not working out has been the story of my season.

        I hit 59k in GW19. As of tonight I’m at 65k having been down at 92k and up at 45k in between. Like moving through treacle!!

        1. TheDragon
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Very similar to me actually. Been stuck between 25k and 55k for weeks and weeks

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            25k is great though. Especially this season!

    2. Won't sleep till after…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe your team name should be Where Art Thou Romeu.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Nice one. May have to adapt/ steal that 😉

    3. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      That’s rough. I have similar situation and the thing I’m trying to avoid is overreacting and changing what is a decent team. Do you know what you’re doing next week? I have a feeling Salah’s days are numbered and thinking of swapping for Bruno (have FH for 29). Can’t believe Arsenal will give Kane, Bale and co such an easy ride).

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks mate

        Think I’m prob rolling FT and taking 2FT into GW29. No FH but already have 8 players. WC left for 31

  14. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Need 3 things on Wednesday:

    1) Gundogan to blank or be benched
    2) Southampton to score
    3) KdB to go large
    Or
    3) Cancelo to go large

    1. No Professionals
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Do you fancy KDB to start?

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        No idea

        1. No Professionals
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I have him, fingers crossed

  15. shearer9
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Whom should I sell for Kane?

    A. Antonio
    B. Bamford
    C. Watkins

    1. No Professionals
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Bamford

    2. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Any

    3. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      a

    4. HODGE
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Prob C imo

    5. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      C

    6. Amsterhammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      C. Then you have A, B, K.

    7. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      They are all bad tbh but C

  16. Ohh1454
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking about saka for blank and beyond. Will be rested a lot though ?

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

      Possibly. We are focusing on Europa league now

  17. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    The Phina part of Bamphina waa badly let down by the Bam bit

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He should play for Brighton with that unrealized xG

    2. No Professionals
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Raphinha should have buried alioski’s pull back

  18. Parsnips
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I know now not a good time but won’t be on until Saturday...

    GTG?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Digne Rudiger
    Bruno KDB(C) Gundogan Raphinha Son
    Kane DCL

    Fabri Bamford Coufal Holding

  19. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Shaw off the bench, lovely.

  20. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    19 from Kane
    35 from other 10 starters
    32 on the bench

    Awesome

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch!!!

  21. Ian Davis
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Salah/Antonio > Bale/Vardy ?

  22. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I was planning to BB with Struijk, Raphina and Bamford in GW30, having second thoughts now.

  23. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    The -4 to bring in Rudiger gained me a net 10 points. Brilliant

  24. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Any tips on how to defend a 75pt lead in the mini-league?

    1. No Professionals
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Keep doing whatever you’ve been doing?

  25. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez, Pope
    Cancelo, Stones, Mee, Coufal, Kilman
    Bruno, Salah, Gundo, Raphinha, Barnes*
    DCL, Kane, Bamford

    Considering Salah, Barnes > Bale, Son for free. Might be Arsenal next for Spurs, but also better sets me up for gw29. Sensible moves?

  26. Pompel
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    None the wiser after tonight who to bring in for DonkeyCL ahead of GW29 :

    A) Antonio - better fixtures(?), just had an off day?
    B) Watkins - supply has dried up, but Grealish to return hopefully. And also extra game in hand

  27. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Do we see Grealish starting against Newcastle this Friday? or at least on the bench.

  28. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    GW29 only is Aubameyang still best compared to Watkins & Antonio?

  29. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    No penalty duty for Lingard. Just been confirmed by Rice that he will be back on them.

  30. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Despite his blank it's so enjoyable to have Raphinha in your team and watch him play football.