Dugout Discussion
11 December 2021 1089 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Phil Foden is only a substitute as Manchester City take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the first of five Premier League matches today.

Kick-off at the Etihad is at 12:30 GMT.

It seems like Foden has been a doubt for every league fixture ever since he returned from international duty in November with ankle problems, and he isn’t risked from the start this afternoon despite making the matchday squad.

Foden and Kyle Walker are the only two players who made Pep Guardiola’s Gameweek 15 starting XI who lose their places this lunchtime, although City did have a Champions League tie with Leipzig in between.

Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish are the only players who have started all three league and cup matches over the last week.

Replacing Foden and Walker from the Gameweek 15 side are Gabriel Jesus, who like Aymeric Laporte has recovered from a knock, and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Bernardo Silva was the most-bought Fantasy Premier League (FPL) player of Gameweek 16, with just over one million transfers spent on the Portuguese midfielder, and there is no surprise to see him reclaim his place in the centre of the park after a midweek breather.

There’s just one change for Wolves from their brave loss to Liverpool, as Hwang Hee-chan is replaced by Joao Moutinho. That alteration, presumably, will see Bruno Lage beef up his midfield and move from a 3-4-3 to a 3-5-2.

Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez will be attempting to create their 2019/20 heroics at the Etihad up top.

Recovering from illness and injury to make the bench are Marcal and Willy Boly.

GAMEWEEK 15 TEAM NEWS

Man City XI: Ederson, Dias, Sterling, Gundogan, Jesus, Grealish, Zinchenko, Laporte, Rodri, Silva, Cancelo.

Subs: Steffen, Walker, Stones, Ake, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Foden, Palmer.

Wolves XI: Sa, Ait-Nouri, Neves, Jimenez, Coady, Semedo, Kilman, Saiss, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Traore.

Subs: Ruddy, Hoever, Marcal, Podence, Trincao, Boly, Silva, Hee-Chan, Cundle.

  1. FFFoxy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jimenez is actually my guy. Made an error but he’s a likeable character, funny lad

    1. Dammit_182
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yea, really like him. Shame he is off.

  2. Kilkennyking
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who do you think is the best player of every position in the premier league?

    1. Limbo
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Gray

  3. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Shame red card when only 2% owned in top 10k

    1. fish&chips
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Might be auto subbing for a few

      1. Gandalf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        True. 6% ownership overall. Sure it was more like 30% recently, but probably a lot of King/Dennis switches

  4. Josh.E
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    so funny when dias told dedoncker to leave the ref alone and he shouts "f off"

  5. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What on earth is the ref doing. Just ruined a perfectly good game of soccer

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Or did Jimenez ruin it

        1. Ruinenlust
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          No he didn’t

      • Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Laws of the game it's a red though. Professional foul then kept delaying the taking of the free kick and then won't move and blocks it again

        1. Ruinenlust
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Ref needs to apply some common sense

          1. how now brown cow
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            And then get marked down by the powers that be. They cant win really.

          2. Noisy Neighbour
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            You misspelled Jiménez.

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

            Players need to play by the rules. Rules are rules, it would be total chaos without. This game has been bad enough.

          4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            In certain circumstances sure but where do you draw the line then though? He stood around the area where the free kick was to be taken for about 30 seconds delaying it, and Wolves had been trying to time waste a fair bit already. If you've been warned once and continue to do it and it's a bookable offence and you let it go again then you're setting a precedent that others can do the same. (I'm not saying I like Moss by any means or think he's a good ref but in that scenario I don't see what else he can do there unless he wants to undermine himself)

            1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              did you see them in the pool match, desparately trying to waste time at every moment, bit them though in the end as it has today

        2. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Jimenez forgot he was on one yellow. Wolves been playing only time.

      • Lieutenant Frank Columbo
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Jimenez ruined it for having a brain melt.

      • El Presidente
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Soccer????

      • Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Don’t know what’s worse. Your lack of awareness of just how stupid Jimenez was, or your use of the ‘S’ word.

    2. Noisy Neighbour
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Foden might stay benched now, since he SHOULDN’T be needed. Then again, City don’t look in the mood today so we’ll see.

      1. Dammit_182
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Let’s hope so…

      2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I think he's needed more tbh, City don't look like breaking Wolves down

    3. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Gundo wtf

    4. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Two yellows within 48 seconds
      Is that a PL record ?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        It's good going.

    5. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      That's the sort of situation where a 10 minute sin bin would be a more appropriate punishment.

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Spot on

      2. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Nah petulance needs proper punishment.

        Especially when time wasting if their whole gameplan.

      3. how now brown cow
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        It's just stupidity. Im a big Raul fan but there's no excuse there.

      4. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed. No way the game should be over as a contest because of that

      5. Pukki Party
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Tactical fouls? Two yellows? Would ruin the game if you can foul the player in a clear goal scoring opportunity for example.

      6. ClassiX
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Disagree. These are professional players who get paid ridiculous amounts of money to do just one thing. They know the rules and they know the consequences of their actions. All he had to do was NOT play the ball. 100% Jimmy's stupidity and fault.

    6. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      If I were Wolves, I’d give the call to Traore and ask him to run at Rodri and Dias..

    7. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Damn city playing dirty

    8. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      City pen?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        No

        1. Sim Simma
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Should have been

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            It hit his arm, but it was by his side.

            Ref couldn't see it.

            1. AIRMILES
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              He leaned into the ball. Should have been a pen, imo

              1. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                Marginal.

            2. Baps Hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              We do have VAR?!?

    9. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Most refs wouldn't have been stupid and given a second yellow for something as soft as that

      Enter, Jon Moss

      1. how now brown cow
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        He has no choice really. Has to follow the rules.

        1. Ruinenlust
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          He literally has a choice

          1. how now brown cow
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            My point is refs are assessed over incidents in their games. They have to follow guidelines.

            It was clear he was holding up play. It wasnt as if city just blasted at him. He refused to retreat and stuck out a foot too.

            That is a blatant yc.

          2. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Not sure what point you are trying to consistently make. You want the ref to choose to flout the rules? You realise if he does that, he gets marked down in his performance assessment and may lose his job?

        2. PartyTime
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          First yellow was a bit harsh, second yellow too much. Most refs would just warn him. Killed the game now

          1. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            He was just being stupid.

      2. Hulk Smash
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        It's either a yellow or it's not though. We all complain about inconsistency from refs so why encourage it in this case?

        1. Differentiator
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          If that was Manchester United at home, no way it gets given. Jimenez would just get a talking to/final warning

          1. Hulk Smash
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Yes, invent a fictional scenario and avoid the point I'm making. That'll convince me.

      3. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Most players wouldn’t have been stupid enough to behave like that more to the point.

      4. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        What makes a player assume they can continue to disregard the ref after being warned about it and get away with it?

      5. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Let that go, and the ref might as well not be there at all.

    10. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Jimi red. City all over Wolves. You know what's happening in the second half....

      1. Crouching Tiger
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Bring Foden on ffs

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I don't, otherwise I'd be good at fpl

        • Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Bernardo brace?

          1. Oggle22
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Bilva off after 59mins with 2 points then city run riot

            1. DA Minnion (Former great)
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              One point.

            2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Yes

        • DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Coady winner.

      3. Third Eye Vision
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        An Arsenal player did the same thing (although he was even closer) on Monday night in the Everton game and the ref just waved play on.

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Saw it only with your third eye?

        2. Arteta
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah, different criterion. Mike Dean also forgot to send off Godfrey and Gordon in the same match you're talking about. Such a trash referee.

      4. BrockLanders
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Spurs snowed off (4 players in the game) Spurs Covid outbreak, game postponed (4 players in game) Forced to play Jimenez through injuries after taking 8 point hit (sent off after 45mins)

        1. Forgetmeknot
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Wow- that is something!

        2. ANGRY PERSON
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Very unlucy

          1. AIRMILES
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            How's Lucy's gw going?

        3. Cruyff's Eleven
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Buy a lottery ticket - you're due a bit of luck

          1. Baps Hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Not a good idea. His wallet would probably be stolen 🙁

        4. Hulk Smash
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          In Mortal Kombat voice:

          "Brutality!"

        5. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Wow, feel for you. I won't complain about my luck this week.

        6. One More Hit
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Has Super Saints changed his username?

          1. Hulk Smash
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            It's nowhere near moany enough to be him.

        7. ktk_interista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Post it in rough and the smooth. You'll have a winner

      5. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        That was quite the shocking 53 minutes of rugby

        1. Qaiss
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I’d rather sit in a library and stare at a blank wall than watch Wolves every week. Horrid, nasty rugby team.

      6. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Clear handball!

        1. Differentiator
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Shirt sleeve. You can literally see the wet patch

          1. Deulofail
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Nope!

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              You can argue it either way.

              1. Deulofail
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                The ball compresses on impact. There's no way it pinged off the hem of the sleeve. Probably touched his elbow region, and maybe also the sleeve.

      7. The Mandalorian
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Jimi still has a serious head injury to manage that can affect your ability to endure stress. He probably needs a rest.

        1. MagicMessi
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          What a silly comment .. no offence to you but do you really think that ? If you do its extreme nonsense

        2. Chelsea Rangers Loyal
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Jiminez must be a moron!

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

          Don't joke about an injury that could have killed him man

      8. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Arm was by his side but he leans into it. Handball for me

        1. dark91
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          It is 100% a handball. He moved his body to redirect the ball

      9. dark91
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        And I thought Mike Dean was terrible. Also Wolves not really helping make the game enjoyable

        1. Noisy Neighbour
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          To be fair to Wolves, they’re doing what they have to. They can barely score against the lesser teams. The only chance they had here was to try and beat them on the counter with Traore’s pace.

        2. BrockLanders
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Did exactly the same against Liverpool

      10. EmreCan Hustle
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Such a weird half of football. Ref had no control over the game.

        1. Bollard
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Ref getting subbed at half time 🙂

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          It's not been scintillating stuff.

          Let's hope City come out with a rocket up them.

          Wolves will just try to slow it down so a quick goal will help.

      11. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I feel I've not really got my reward for trusting in City for 40 of a possible 45 City games this season. Quite dreadful really...

        Cancelo: (14), 12, 6* 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 0
        Grealish: 8, 6, 6, (3), 3, 3, 2, 2, 1, -, -
        Foden: 18, 6, 3, 2*, 1, -
        Torres: 18, 3*, 3, 2, -, -, -
        Jesus: 5, 2, 1, -
        Mahrez: 6, 4, 2

        () = Benched
        * = Capained

        Not expecting much from the 3 on the pitch today

        1. Londongeezaa
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          FPL at its best there.

          Can be so frustrating.

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Roulette

            1. Deulofail
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Should win more than this on the roulette wheel

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  4 years, 4 months ago

                  My winnings are a 200k rank drop and one assist to show for it

            2. Arteta
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              You were ahead of the curve with Torres and Foden at least. 90% of people got them after their hauls and we know the rest.

              1. Deulofail
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                🙂 Thanks for this!

          • Jacktastic
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Almost signed up to BT to watch this, so glad I didn’t!

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              If you have EE you can get a better deal and then on a Samsung (not LG tho) TV watch it on an App.

              It's about 15 seconds behind the phone though.

          • Ze_Austin
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            That half reminds me of the Kingsman movie... That gas that made everyone angry

          • Amartey Partey
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Wolves kind of deserve a sending off here for playing such boring football. Did they even have one shot?

            1. Cruicky
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              1 goal in 6 games now, 2nd lowest scorers in league. they look like they're still managed by Nuno.

            2. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Seriously, you really expect them to go toe to toe against Man City?

          • Bobby Digital
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Grealish not skilled enough for this team...

            1. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Nonsense

            2. Cruicky
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              City should have prioritised a striker instead. Grealish is talented, but adds nothing that a combination of Foden, KDB, Bernardo, Gundogan, Sterling, Mahrez etc don't already do.

          • KanuLenoMeeMoCash
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            I thought City should've had 2 pens in that half, foul on Jesus and Kilman handball. What am I missing here?
            2nd yellow was a joke imo...telling him to f off would've done. Ref is a bit crap isn't he!?

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              1st yellow for Jimi was soft.

              1. Baps Hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                Soft yellows do happen though.

              2. KanuLenoMeeMoCash
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                True but Rodri received yellow for similar a few minutes beforehand so is justifiable...second one is over the top.

            2. Baps Hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Yes. But VAR is there also.

              1. Grounderz
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                May well be a corrupted football system.

                1. AC/DC AFC
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 4 months ago

                  It's the rub of the green.

                  How the games has been for over a century....

              2. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                According to the BT studio VAR couldn't adjudicate on the handball because it's a subjective call.

            3. PartyTime
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              No pen & also wasn’t handball

          • Grounderz
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            If Man City does get a penalty, who takes it?

            1. Ze_Austin
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Gundogan

            2. OPTA FPL
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Jesus

          • Ze_Austin
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            1. Sleeves don't count as handball

            2. If a player commits a clear YC offence, the YC is his fault, not the ref's

            1. Fitzy.
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              So the ball can hit you anywhere on the arm as long as it's inside a sleeve? Understood...