Dugout Discussion
8 April 2023 837 comments
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Southampton v Manchester City brings a busy day of Premier League football to a close.

Kick-off at St Mary’s is at 17:30 BST.

There’s only one place to start with the team news and that’s with the visitors, who are able to include Erling Haaland in a starting line-up for the first time since mid-March.

He replaces Julian Alvarez up top for the reigning champions, who go full strength for this evening’s game.

That much-anticipated change in attack is the only one that Pep Guardiola has made from the 4-1 win over Liverpool.

By contrast, Southampton boss Ruben Selles has made four alterations from the side defeated by West Ham United last Sunday.

In come Armel Bella-Kotchap, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Carlos Alcaraz and Kamaldeen Sulemana as Duje Caleta-Car, Romain Perraud, Stuart Armstrong and Sekou Mara drop to the bench.

Haaland was the most-bought player of Gameweek 30, with the removal of his flag on Friday helping him on his way to not far off 590,000 transfers in.

GAMEWEEK 30 LINE-UPS

Southampton XI: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Maitland-Niles, Alcaraz, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Elyounoussi, Walcott, Sulemana.

Subs: McCarthy, Caleta-Car, Onuachu, Perraud, Armstrong, Mara, Djenepo, Edozie, Diallo.

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland.

Subs: Ortega, Walker, Phillips, Laporte, Alvarez, Silva, Gomez, Palmer, Lewis.



837 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. alsybach
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    66 points so far, god I’m good at this!

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Link team lets find out

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

    Easy transfers Toney & Chilly > Haaland & Mings, bench Rashy?

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well I guess you need Haaland but wouldn't sell Chilwell

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

        Got Kepa as well

    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m keeping Chilly (for the moment).
      Wait on Rashford news anyway, if he’s out for multiple weeks then there’s no reason to keep him

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

      I assume you are aware there are ECL/EL games during the week

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

        Got priced out last week both are rising tonight?

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          For me I would rather wait and get all the info. I'm sure another route to Haaland will popup

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

      Don't want Toney against Wolves?

  3. thegaffer82
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    72 here and am now within 7 points of top 1k 🙂

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      well done

    2. YouReds
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice rank

      1. thegaffer82
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You too, only a few points between us I reckon.
        I made the Maddy > Grealish transfer for a hit which Is probably the difference between us rn

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good on ya, 91st is my rank to beat… argh!

  4. SouthCoastSaint
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not enough people on this website admitting when they are wrong,

    Well done Haaland cappers and owners .

    I was against it, clearly wrong.

    Saints fan having a pretty sad evening looking forward to the championship

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

      You're not wrong

      Sorry to say

    2. faux_C
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Calling a roulette wheel correctly isn't about right and wrong.

    3. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Agree with everything you say. I'm very sorry to see your club in such mess. When I had my own business your club was an absolute pleasure to deal with and were very loyal to my company.

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

    So Maddison > Grealish was worth the -4!
    Oh well, onwards and upwards. OR 1.7k now

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      has my doubts but did it in the end

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        *had

  6. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Couple of questions on today's matches:
    1) Why is Rashford flagged?
    2) Why did Chillwell only play 22 mins? Off early because of injury or on late because he started on the bench?

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Did groin and bench

      1. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Injury look bad?

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

      Injured
      Benched

    3. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford limped off injured.
      Chilwell was benched (Cucarella starting LB in a back four) and came on for the last 20mins.
      All very concerning as a Rash & Chilly owner

      1. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        How did the injury look? Might be a blessing in disguise for my FPL team. I will have a midfield spot for somebody. United can say bye to their top 4 hopes if this is more than a game or two.

    4. Alan The Llama
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1. Went off injured.
      2. Was benched and came on.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do we know how bad the injury is? Nothing on the net (yet)

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

      - Groin injury
      - not clear why Chilwell was benched. Maybe switch to 4ATB and preferred Cucurella or UCL midweek game in mind

  7. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mummy time

  8. WVA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you change anything here?

    Raya
    Chilwell Trippier Shaw*
    Saka Rashford* Grealish Mitoma
    Haaland Kane Watkins
    Kepa March Mings Estupian

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends on updates on Shaw and Rashford so difficult to answer question now. If short term injuries then you have bench to carry them for 34.

      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, I'm pretty sure they both miss 31 whatever

    2. I Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would be fine saving that but if you're using FH in 32 you might as well make a transfer.

      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry my transfer will be Maddison to Grealish

  9. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Had KdB about 4-5 weeks ago, did nothing for me, got more benchings than returns

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Had him for much longer than that earlier in the season and also did nothing, not going there again, nightmare FPL asset on James level

  10. Zimo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Take a hit to do Rashford to Salah or just play Watkins against Newcastle? Thinking Watkins. And get Salah in 33 after FH32.

    1. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I will be playing Schar and Trippier so that's an issue.

    2. I Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would just play Watkins. Can't stop scoring.

  11. Bobby
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    martinelli will def start tomorrow yep?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only Arteta can tell you that.
      But 90+% chance I’d say

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

      Likely yes. Also Saka sold Maddison and bought Martinelli this GW

      https://twitter.com/FPLFocal/status/1644662964669104128?t=VQdbsx6c-xt-2IyQpnA46A&s=19

    3. Bobby
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers! Reassuring...

  12. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    61 points ... only Odegaard & Martinelli can save my gameweek 😉

    1. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      61 is a solid score - even more so with some Arsenal players still to come

    2. GC123
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Are you kidding? 61 points this week with two to play is pretty damn good

      1. Sure You Did
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He knows, just being an attention seeker but the use of the emoji was obvious.

        1. GC123
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Jeez. I’d hate to be that guy. Whipping it out and swinging it around

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

      Beautiful! 68 here with Saka to go 😉

      1. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        mooi man, piele!

        1. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Ha

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

          my span het hierdie wedstrydweek 'n ereksie gehad 😆

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      🙂

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

    Grealish on +92% with three green arrows 😮
    Will he rise before the UCL game we think?

    1. ☈☾
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He will rise tonight

    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He’ll rise either tonight or tomorrow.

      There’s a surprising amount of FPL managers who care more about 0.1 than they do about points for some reason

      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He will rise tonight even if no-one brings him in, they love to manipulate the prices

  14. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Been out the loop most of the day. How bad is Rashford injury?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Groin - won't know until he has a scan. Grade 1 is 1-2 weeks recovery

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

      not known

      But not minor

      1. Sure You Did
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Who said it is not minor?

        1. George Sillett
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          ,If you watched it you'd know it wasn't minor

          1. Sure You Did
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I watched it, who said it wasn't minor?

            1. gart888
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Slouch87

              1. gart888
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Wait, my bad I read that question as "who said it was minor" whoops.

              2. George Sillett
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                A player immediately signalling to come off the pitch is quite a clue . ??? I didn't say anything of the sort

            2. George Sillett
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I'm just agreeing with you . lol

  15. Silecro
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Harrison masterclass tomorrow vs Palace?

    1. mdm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Unlikely

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hope so

  16. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Aston Villa is 6th now.. Unbelievable

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stopped playing Digne

  17. Sure You Did
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got rid of Grealish 3 GWs ago. Go me!!

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ouch, did that with Martinelli a few weeks back

      1. Sure You Did
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Got rid of him as well before he started scoring for fun.

        1. mdm
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Who are you selling this week?

  18. Ange Ball
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which move for minus 4

    A) Madds Watkins 》 Grealish Kane
    B) Madds Rashford 》 Son Grealish

    I have Bruno may swap him back gw34 for Rash don't rate Bruno playing to deep.

    1. Sure You Did
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mads to Grealish if Rash isn't out long or Rash to Grealish.

  19. OptimusBlack
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    That's what happens to you when u keep Maddison like loser and don't buy Grealish even with a hit.

    1. Heavy Cream
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s what I’ve been telling people 🙂 (smug)

  20. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Grealish nailed once Foden is back?

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lol Pep says hi

      1. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        City are still in the title race. Pep will play their strongest side no?

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

        He's definitely pep's favourite at the moment!

        1. HurriKane
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          So was Mahrez first couple of months after WC.

          Hopefully Grealish holds his starting position for longer period if he continues the great form. (Likely to come in for Rashford)

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

      no

      1. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why not? Grealish is city's most inform midfielder at the moment

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

          Rodri, KDB and Gundogan likely first on the team sheet

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Certain players starting will depend on opposition. KDB unlikely to start when against deep blocks/ 5ATB team. We have seen from Pep to prefer 2 up top and bench KDB in these instances

            1. Cheeky Reijnders
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              How many instances is that?

              1. Tonyawesome69
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Look up when Haaland and Alvarez started up top

          2. HurriKane
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Neither plays Grealish position so i think he is safe for now

          3. Cheeky Reijnders
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yep.

    3. Sure You Did
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He has started every game since GW20. Good enough for a Pep side and cheaper than KDB.

      1. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same thinking. Im ok with 5 starts in 6 games. The odd rest is manageable with a strong bench like most have at the moment

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope, it’s pep

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

      Grealish will still be first choice LW imo. Foden was playing RW (4 league games in a row) before his injury

      1. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same thinking. Foden is more of a threat to Mahrez i guess

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yup Mahrez was poor earlier today as well.

          1. HurriKane
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            True that. Gave the ball away countless times. Pep wont be happy

        2. Cheeky Reijnders
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You think Foden prefers to play on the right? Bernardo is surely the natural replacement for Mahrez. I think Foden only plays there when Pep is trying to shoehorn both Grealish and Foden in. Even Alvarez is better out there than Foden, imo.

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Depends on opposition and setup. Mahrez/Foden for control/possession, Bernardo/Foden for forward pressing

            1. Cheeky Reijnders
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Don't get this, at all. Sorry.

    6. mdm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

    7. Saka White Rice
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Doesn't matter whose his favourite. Only Haaland and Ederson are nailed. If anything, no matter how important PL games are now they're also fighting for UCL so there will 100% be rotation. DO NOT FIND LOGIC IN CITY TEAM. Put a player in and assume the obvious consequence of not starting at least 1 game in the next 5. If City have an easy Premier league game you really think with all that depth in the squad he won't rotate at least 1 "nailed" player in a few games? Come on...Read the pattern it's been like this since he's joined!

      1. Cheeky Reijnders
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I agree. Little point in trying to second guess Pep per game. It's really down to iffy odds on how many games the form players between now and the end, I think.

  21. F_Ivanovic
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Disaster week. No Haaland, no Kane. GK blank, double Bri mid blank. Benched Dunk and Isak.

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No Haaland or Kane lol? Disaster season!

      1. F_Ivanovic
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Never owned Kane and he's punished me a lot yeah. As for Haaland... I didn't WC because I wanted to keep him for 29. Knew he wouldn't play 29 so decided to sell so I could still BB. Then Saka didn't play so I cancelled my BB - but I could have just not sold Haaland. Then couldn't get Haaland back because I'm FH in 32 and WC in 33. Just a perfect storm of stuff going wrong!

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s ok, it’s only a game, it’s only one gameweek

    3. GC123
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ouch. Feel your pain. Sounds like the perfect storm. Many playing tomorrow that can pull it back for you? If not, just do what I’ve had to do several times. Put the bad GW behind you and move on to next week

      1. F_Ivanovic
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Salah, Saka, Gabriel and Trent... so not really. Need to hope for goals from the defenders and Saka/Salah!

        1. GC123
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No need to write the GW off just yet buddy. I hate it when people pile in when you’ve had a bad week. It might not have gone how you wanted but I can see attacking returns for 3/4 there (I wouldn’t expect much from TAA and I’m surprised you’ve still got him - I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you’re a Liverpool fan showing allegiance!)

    4. mdm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      72 points here and counting..

      1. GC123
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Is that pre BPS?

        1. mdm
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No

          1. GC123
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Still decent this week. Not many will beat that by much. Who do you have tomorrow? I think I’m on 71 with White and Martinelli to play

            1. GC123
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Scratch that. 61!

  22. The Senate
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    64 with Firpo (yikes) and Saka to go

    1. mdm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not bad

    2. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good job. The green sea beckons.

  23. Cheeky Reijnders
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    There's a lotta nervous City player juggling goin'on. Pep on the couch in your heads. Hahaha!

  24. threeputt
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I bemoaned being 0.1 short of Bowen & Mbuemo to Mahrez & Watkins this morning and posed an alternative option. Shout out to the person who suggested Grealish instead of Mahrez in the grouch above as that is what I went with. Thanks

  25. gart888
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Game is so weird right now.

    My two highly owned threats were Bruno and Chilwell. They both blanked. Meanwhile I feel like tons of my guys returned (Haaland C, Kane, Watkins, Rashford, etc.)

    Week seems like it went well, but only 2 above my safety score lol.

    Template gonna template.

    1. GC123
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing you could do about Chillwell getting 22 mins and being booked! Mess of a club quite frankly. Bruno is the annoying one. How he didn’t return, I still don’t know. Could have delivered 12-15, instead gave us owners 3. Combined score of 12 points over the last 5 games. Might as well have owned Rodri or Xhaka! It’s the hope that kills you

      1. gart888
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I meant that Chilwell and Bruno were the only two highly owned players I DIDN'T have. So when they both did piss poor you'd expect a great week from me. But instead I've barely moved.

        1. GC123
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Sorry, completely misunderstood. GW isn’t over yet. Many would have owned one or both so you might see movement by the end of the GW

  26. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Early thoughts on the plan?
    Hope both Shaw and Chilwell start, Maddison to Grealish, keep Rashford as FH32, playing March ain’t sound bad.

    Raya
    Chilwell/Trippier/Shaw
    Saka/Martinelli/(Grealish)/March
    Haaland(c)/Kane/Watkins

    Kepa/Estupinan/Botman/Rash*

    1. gart888
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Seems fine, though I think you might regret not having Bruno once Casemiro is back.

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Can’t have them all!

      2. GC123
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good point. I was convinced on doing Bruno to Grealish next week. Now thinking Mac Allister can be the sacrificial lamb. Just have to hope Rash can be fit for GW33

  27. rozzo
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kepa Raya
    Tripper Chilwell Botman Mings Mee
    Saka Odegaard Maddison Rashford Mitoma
    Haaland Kane Toney

    1ft
    0.8 itb
    80k rank

    Any ideas here? Maddison to Martinelli and bench Rashford?

    Cheers

  28. Ange Ball
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Madds Watkins 》 Grealish Kane
    B) Madds Rashford 》 Son Grealish

    1. faux_C
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don't do anything till Friday

      1. Cheeky Reijnders
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Word.

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

    Oh no, I somehow made it to chance Haaland into VC and was sure he was my c until the points didn’t start to come in right… great dissapointment that cost me 10 points. Well, guess I’m not the only one who has done something like that in the fpl history, so moving on.

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

      *change

  30. Cheeky Reijnders
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    As a Chelsea fan I'm considering taking a hit in GW31 for no other reason than getting rid of the stench in my squad.