Dugout Discussion
15 December 2021 2020 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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We were meant to be enjoying four Premier League matches this evening but Burnley v Watford has become the second Gameweek 17 fixture to be postponed, leaving us a game short.

Brighton and Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace v Southampton and Arsenal v West Ham United do go ahead, however, with the match at the Emirates getting underway half an hour after the two 19:30 GMT kick-offs.

As for the team news, all eyes were on the Brighton starting XI after a number of players tested positive for Covid-19 in the run-up to tonight’s fixture.

It’s not a bad-looking line-up despite the raft of injuries and illnesses, with Neal Maupay, Pascal Gross, Jurgen Locadia and Jason Steele among the previously undeclared absentees.

Robert Sanchez is available and starts, despite rumours suggesting he was one of those affected by coronavirus.

Graham Potter has actually only made three changes to his team from Gameweek 15, with Maupay, Gross and the suspended Shane Duffy dropping out.

In come Jakub Moder, Solly March and Aaron Connolly.

Potter’s opposite number, Wolves boss Bruno Lage, has made four alterations from his side’s last outing.

Raul Jimenez is suspended after his red card at the Etihad, while Leander Dendoncker and Adama Traore drop to the bench.

Daniel Podence, Hwang Hee-chan and Francisco Trincao come in to make it an all-new front three.

The fourth change wasn’t planned as Rayan Ait-Nouri injured himself in the warm-up, with his place taken by Marcal.

As for the match at Selhurst Park, Patrick Vieira’s only change is an interesting one: Vicente Guaita drops to the bench and is replaced by Jack Butland between the posts.

Joachim Andersen is among the substitutes after recovering from injury, while Christian Benteke is on the bench too.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has made four changes from Southampton’s 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, with Lyanco, Oriol Romeu, Will Smallbone and Mohammed Salisu brought into the side.

Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens, Ibrahima Diallo and the injured Adam Armstrong drop out.

In the 8pm kick-off, Arsenal are unchanged from Gameweek 16, so that means another benching for Emile Smith Rowe. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is, of course, absent from the squad for disciplinary reasons.

David Moyes has made just one change to the West Ham side from the 0-0 draw with Burnley, with Pablo Fornals brought in for Said Benrahma. There’s again no Aaron Cresswell among the Hammers’ squad.

GAMEWEEK 17 LINE-UPS

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Sanchez, Burn, Moder, Veltman, Cucurella, Mwepu, Bissouma, Lamptey, March, Connolly, Trossard.

Subs: Scherpen, Lallana, Roberts, Alzate, Leonard, Mac Allister, Richards, Turns, Ferguson.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI: Sa, Saiss, Coady, Kilman, Marcal, Moutinho, Neves, Hwang, Semedo, Trincao, Podence.

Subs: Ruddy, Hoever, Boly, Cundle, Moulden, Traore, Silva, Dendoncker.


Crystal Palace XI: Butland, Ward, Guehi, Tomkins, Mitchell, Kouyate, Hughes, Gallagher, Zaha, Ayew, Edouard.

Subs: Benteke, Andersen, Riedewald, Olise, Guaita, Milivojevic, Schlupp, Clyne, Eze.

Southampton XI: Caballero, Walker-Peters, Lyanco, Salisu, Livramento, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Smallbone, Redmond, Tella, Broja.

Subs: Bednarek, Djenepo, Diallo, Long, Perraud, Lewis, Valery, Walcott, Elyounoussi,


Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tierney, White, Partey, Gabriel, Saka, Odegaard, Lacazette, Tomiyasu, Xhaka, Martinelli.

Subs: Okonkwo, Smith Rowe, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Pepe, Tavares, Lokonga, Elneny, Nketiah.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Fornals, Antonio, Lanzini, Dawson, Bowen, Diop, Masuaku, Soucek, Rice.

Subs: Areola, Yarmolenko, Vlasic, Noble, Benrahma, Kral, Oko-Flex, Alese, Ashby.

  1. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Caballero lmao

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

      Wtf was that?

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

    ESR can come on now...

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

    Well that was fast....

  4. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Livra oops already.

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Looking at minus points off the bench

  5. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Lol soton are just trash, no keeper no striker, really in the mix to go down

    1. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I would love them to be relegated but there are always 3 worse teams every season.

      There is no way they will finish below Norwich, Watford or Burnley.

  6. Salarrivederci
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Finally Zaha my man!

  7. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Chances of ESR coming on? Need him to at least make an appearance otherwise I’m fielding 9 haha

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

      Unless Arsenal are comfortable like vs Southampton, we should see him.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pretty likely, don't think Laca can play 90 nowadays

  8. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Connor gonna run riot

  9. rozzo
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    This is a farce.

    It's not as if any of these players that tested positive are ill in bed is it?

    Expect more carnage to come.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      They dont play with colds either

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

      This only ends when mass testing stops. Which only happens when the pandemic is declared over it seems. Nearly three quarters of the UK double jabbed and some are still talking about Covid like it’s March 2020.

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

        Unfortunately Delta and the new strain technically means 2 pandemics at the moment.

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

      Gonna get ALOT worse..

    4. Tango74
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Which is why people should have playing benches and not fodder.

      Be interesting is Chelsea or Liverpool game off tomorrow as most have doubles /triples !

      1. MikeS
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I have a playing bench (apart from keeper) and only have 8 this week, no strikers

  10. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Get bentekkers on

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Evening mate

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

    Gallagher involved in the celebrations ?

  12. Patio Kev
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Great start for Palace

    9-0 incoming please !!!!!

  13. Kannbury
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Zaha!! 🙂

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

    Probably gets Zaha on somehow.

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/5069174/event/17

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

      Quite possible one of those 3 Chelsea defenders rested. The guy is heading for a Top 10 spot this week!

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

      And it's not all luck?

      1. jammie26
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I bet you're fun to live with.

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

          Haha so many jokes I wanted to come back with there but I'll behave

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

        Fresh Man City star players, sure.

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

          Bernardo missed an open goal....

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

            Makes up for all the recent goals.

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

              Just shows though doesn't matter who you pick or when, you put the best player in the league Infront of an open goal and he misses, it's all luck.

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

                Best player on his bad foot equals fail.
                Not even the best player in his team.

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

      It was a good tactics decision too. 7 players out before Covid issues

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Even if Zaha scores 5 games in a row I'm not getting him again.

    Ultimate FPL troll

    1. Prince of Persia
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Exactly.

  16. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    That FH team looking even more ridiculous now - imagine if Thiago Silva or someone is rested! https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/5069174/event/17

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

      Wow. Some people really know how to play this game.

    2. Zilla
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      It's the FPL dream

    3. Tango74
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      His only 14th in GW

      I’m on 1pt from yesterday

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

      That’s incredible. Feeling very confident about a Chelsea CS based on this guys FH

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah amazing to think he could have gone Sterling and Bilva instead for example if you were going off recent Man City form!

    5. banskt
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      This person knows.

    6. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Unreal.

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

      I like his attitude. His EO is high, but he can't win the game without going "all in" in poker terms. This FH means that he has decided to attack now.

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

        He has set his goal. It is to win the whole game this season. He is happy to risk everything for it. Many others would be happy to fight for top 100 finish.

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

    I've got two free transfers, and I was going to upgrade my cheap, non-playing striker Street to King, but now that seems a daft move (I already have Dennis).

    Which striker up to 7.0 would you go for as a playing sub?

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

      I have Broja (5.1). I believe the value is in midfield and defense (longer term, later, not atm). But below Watkins there is no-one I want before Wilson has decent fixtures and either DCL or Bamford are back.

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

    Get Mbeumo back for S'ton?

    1. 420king
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Such good value, this guy.

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

    Hwang injured and substituted?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Nope, played on

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

        Hwangstring, just a guess.

        1. MikeS
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Hwanging in there

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Hwang now going off

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

            Hwat?gstring

          3. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Have a +1

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

          Hsiang went twang

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

            Hwang sodding autocorrect

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

              Hwang went tsing!!!

      • WVA
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Ralph needs to go

        1. MikeS
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          To man utd

        2. GENERATION X
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          His 2 points feels like a haul this week

        3. Top Dog
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Agreed, should be at a better club

      • GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Hwangstring

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

          Yep, not looking good

          1. The Ilfordian
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            1 point more than Guaita

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

        Should've cashed in on Livramento with my WC.

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

          Bookmarked for the inevitable goal and assist that will come later

        2. Patio Kev
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Not sure there is much better around that price range though. At least you know he will play.

      • 420king
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I would have bought Zaha if United wasn't postponed, I swear. Oh and my 7m ranked cup opponent owns him too.

      • Totalfootball
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Which Man United players missed training today?

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

          I guess most of them if Carrington is closed.

          Probably trained at home or elsewhere, Old Trafford? I guess not.

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

            Carrington was reopened today

      • DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        40 is going to be a monster haul this GW

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I’ll be lucky to hit double figures at this rate

          1. The Ilfordian
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            I just hit 10. What’s the highest score this week?

      • HD7
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Didnt know Burnley Watford is postponed. When did they announce it? Today?

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

          2 hours before kickoff

      • Differentiator
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Can't wait for the bloody wildcard. My team is a walking trashcan

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

        I chuckle at the name Smallbone every time.

        1. Rassi
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Him and Longstaff should work together. Fighting crime or sth.

      • Tabasco
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Where's Maupay?

        1. MIGHTY JOE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          At home eating baguettes

      • Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        the covid roulette increases the luck element of the game

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Does it? Is that the luck of players choosing to have a weak bench?

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Well yeah it increases the luck element of the game, having a strong bench is just a way to try and mitigate that damage but it has no effect on who and how many get covid, aka luck

              1. Ginkapo FPL
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                Doesnt matter who gets covid if you have a bench, can just ride it out

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

                  And if your bench gets covid?

                2. mojoindojo
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 4 months ago

                  Monkey so smart

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

                  U still only have a limited bench...so yes luck is a big factor.

                4. Vinyl78LP
                  • 16 Years
                  4 years, 4 months ago

                  3 of my bench are regular starters and have had their match cancelled - Then Lowton and Dennis in my first XI also cancelled. So not correct.

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

              You ok monkey? I seem to have upset you? Care to explain

              1. Ginkapo FPL
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                You seem to spend most of your posts having a dig at others. That doesnt sit well with me

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

                  Lol can't tell if you're a troll or a hypocrite in denial

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

                  I’d disagree. I spend majority of my time answering posts - barely post for help myself. Sometimes like to call out folk who are shouting their mouth off though and will say if I disagree with someone. Your post there for example is nonsense but I’ll maybe leave it this time

                  1. ‘Tis the Season
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 4 months ago

                    Your are correct Pat, only find you supportive. Wat doing ape..y so angry 😛

            • Qaiss
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Yes everyone, you should have expected a game to be cancelled 2 hours before kick off without warning!

            • Steve The Spud
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              a strong benched helps deal with it, but when a game is cancelled after the deadline then that's luck - personally I'm ok but they'll still be people with a strong bench with 2 Watford players, Ronaldo and cancelo benched

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

                He got the reaction he wanted Steve

            • WVA
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Even with a strong bench I've ended up with 6 player's, doesn't matter what bench you have if they get covid, it's all luck mate

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

                Benching players with suspected Covid isn't strong.

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

                Is that covid or a poor team to start with?

            • banskt
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              It does to a certain extent.

              I believe my team has a strong bench. But, if the Watford / Palace game is cancelled next week, I have to play with Dennis and Gallagher on the bench. I cannot sell them because I bought them at 5.1m and 5.7m and cannot afford to get them back. I have 2FTs left, but I cannot use any of them (as of now; maybe I will find a use for one of them with more info), while still depending on only one bench player.

            • banskt
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              One idea would be reduce covid exposure by having only 1 player from each team. But, that would mean losing points from Liverpool and / or Manchester City matches.

          2. GENERATION X
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Man City covid roulette for the high rollers

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

            Certainly does.. best advise is relax, don't take it too serious and laugh it off.. this season involves a huge dose of luck to so well

          4. Patio Kev
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Agreed but it more interesting, love the chaos.