634x258 Dugout Discussion
26 April 2015 2794 comments
James Barnes James Barnes
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Although Sunday beckons in just two Premier League fixtures, there are plenty of points at stake as four sides rich in Fantasy talent do battle. Everton play host to Manchester United in the lunchtime kick off, with the Red Devils looking to cast aside their defeat to Chelseaย and snap the Toffees’ five-match unbeaten streak. Arsenal’s home clash against the Blues caps headlines the weekend’s action, with Jose Mourinho’s men all but securing the Premier League crown in the event of an Emirates win.

Everton welcome United to Goodison Park in search of their fifth victory in six outings. Roberto Martinez’s side have been particularly resilient at Goodison in recent weeks and have served up five clean sheets in the last six in front of their own fans, as Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman make a late scramble up the Fantasy standings. United are now enjoying goals from midfield, with Juan Mata (three in four), Marouane Fellaini (two in five) and Ander Herrera (two in three) all contributing to the cause.

The team news from Goodison is significant for both sides. Everton hand a start to striker Romelu Lukaku after he saw action as a substitute in the win over Burnley last time out. Leon Osman also returns to the teamsheet as Kevin Mirallas and Arouna Kone drop to the bench. As for United, they are able to welcome back Daley Blind to the midfield engine room, allowing Wayne Rooney to shift to the attack against his former club: Radamel Falcao makes way.

Sunday’s main event promises to be a tight affair that could becomeย attritional; Arsenal and Chelsea have both conceded just seven goals in their previous 12 matches and it’s fair to say that Jose Mourinho’s side will be containing the Gunners threat as a first priority. Arsenal have recorded eight straight wins since a 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur back in early February, with Olivier Giroud’s red-hot form (seven goals in as many starts) driving their success. With two goals and three assists in four league outings, Aaron Ramsey is showing glimpses of least season’s breakthrough star.ย Eden Hazardย has delivered attacking returns in 13 of his last 17 appearances andย promises to keep Arsenal occupied at the back. ย 

  1. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    this is all part of van ghaal's plan

    1. Ser Football 42
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      To get UTD. Regulated next season

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lull people into thinking United are shite then stroll the title next year?

    3. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Filoshofee!!

  2. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Oscar playing up front

    1. Numb
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Hazard

    2. Jax
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      oscar the grouching tiger hidden striker

    3. Jax
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      FABREGAS

    4. The Light Knight
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Didn't know Cahill's first name was Oscar.

      1. TuttiFrutti
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        its tim

  3. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Remy will tear LEI apart next week

    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      on his Xbox?

      1. The Mandalorian
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        No on his Playstation

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Costa*

    3. davies
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      You spelt calf wrong.

      1. mojoindojo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Calf will tear Lei apart??

  4. davies
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Cahill TOTY ๐Ÿ˜† x 1000

  5. Waynoo
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    anyone have Oscar?

    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      have a grammy

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        only Tony here.
        won it for singing soprano.

    2. davies
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Not Leonardo Di Caprio

      I'll get my coat.

      1. Test Eagles
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Wolverine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    25 odd mins of people talking about Sanchez being injured now...

    'Sanchez inured in the tunnel haha'

    'Sanchez injured in dressing room bust up with Ospina Looool'

    'Sanchez injured in warm up attempting ozils chewing gum trick'

    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      sanchez injured a few months ago

    2. Numb
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      And that is just Sam Matterface's tweets.

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Oh, not another fake FFS rumour...

      Anyone twittered his GF yet?

    4. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      N'Doye don't know what to believe anymore.

  7. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Come on Arsenal, park the bus. Show Mourinho that defending is easy. 0-0 will be a great result.

  8. roghippo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Has Sanchez really been beheaded?

  9. ZTF
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Need goals from Hazard today. Do you think he'll score?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      It's not like it matters anyway.

    2. Jax
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      prob not.

    3. Numb
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah

  10. Jairzinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    "The players doing the game", says mourinho on his midfielders.

  11. Somalion
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Matic up top.

  12. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Ivanovic playing up front. ๐Ÿ˜›

    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      he may as well

    2. TuttiFrutti
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      but he will be more attacking

  13. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    courtios up top?

    1. The Light Knight
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      For Arsenal

    2. Long Juan Silva
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Great hold up play

    3. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Mourinho is no Stuart Pearce

  14. โญ Bemba_Da โญ
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    mourinho

    "Drogba was almost fit to start but we have a game on Wednesday. I have major doubts Diego and Remy will be available so I have to think about the game on Wednesday".

    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      That man is unbelievable.

    2. Jax
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      diego out then on wed

    3. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Mourinho is the biggest troll. I hope people didn't get Costa.

      1. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Anyone who did should have known there was a huge risk attached

      2. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        I did! ๐Ÿ™‚

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      That's annoying.

    5. Duke Silver โ˜‘
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Bring back Carlo. Used to name his team on Friday.

      1. Mull
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        It doesn't matter if you know our team we'll beat you anyway was pretty much his strategy.

        1. Duke Silver โ˜‘
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Or he knew the trials and tribulations us fantasy managers have to go through. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    6. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Mourinho is the level of troll that all trolls aspire to be at.

    7. Ziro Becomes One
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Ruth.
      We had a discussion previously about this. Proof here.
      Not saying what Mourinho does is bad but that's what he does. He misleads the entire world and just finds a way to win. I don't know what he could win if he plays poker. ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Ryan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        He certainly isn't a straight talker as some people like to profess. Its all mind games.

  15. Long Juan Silva
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Courtois striker

  16. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Never realised Adrian got 16 points yesterday ๐Ÿ˜ฏ

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I was surprised when I didn't see a star next to Schmeichel's name!

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      who knew the highest points earner of a dgw will be a single gw keeper...
      you cant make this stuff up

      1. TuttiFrutti
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        well, that's what you just did. Cause it aint gonna happen

    3. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Really? It seems you eventually did.

      1. mojoindojo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    This could be great for Hazard (c) against Mertesacker's OAP legs

  18. athreya
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/32473770

    PFA championship team of the year.

  19. Somalion
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    When Carragher said Schurrle I genuinely believed he said Shearer ๐Ÿ˜›

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Its unfair to make him pronounce names like that

      1. Somalion
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        I went scrambling to Google to find out when Mou had managed Shearer!

    2. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      who knows what jamie is saying?

      1. Somalion
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Hire Stevie G to translate? ๐Ÿ˜‰

    3. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Tbf those are two names he should be able to say as they have the sh sound

      1. Somalion
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Aye, thought he was born to say them ๐Ÿ˜‰

  20. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    As I said earlier in the week. Even if he had three fit strikers he may well have considered doing this formation anyway.....he may not have actually done it it, but he'd have thought about it. This striker less lark is always in Mourinho's locker.

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      If Costa was fit he'd play - same with Remy. Drogba is not at PL standard anymore

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah but my point is that playing without a striker won't faze Mourinho against a strong midfield. He's done it plenty of times through choice....

      2. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        neither is Leicester

        1. davies
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Oi.

          1. Gaz Downright
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            tongue in cheek

    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      3 lines of defence. 0-0 written all over it.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah. I wish I still had Sanchez to watch this game with...even if he blanks.

  21. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    "If not for Arsenal, then [he will be back] for Leicester," Mourinho confirmed.

    Mourinho is such a troll.

    1. The Light Knight
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      How would he have gone from unfit on Sunday to starting fit on Wednesday?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        I don't think fitness is that binary. There is a ramp of improvement over time. He was apparently close to making the Arsenal game.

        1. Jax
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          sorry but his injury history has proven why he's not back so quickly. it's obvious.

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      He did it earlier in the season when he kept trolling about Costa's fitness

  22. deshawn7
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    sigh siggy on the bench as 2nd sub.

    lucky baines decided to show up today.

  23. Long Juan Silva
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Michu.

  24. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    The atmosphere really is palpable

    1. Jax
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      toilet paper?

  25. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    City still 2nd by the end if the day?

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Not a chance! ๐Ÿ˜€

    2. Duke Silver โ˜‘
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      More than likely.

  26. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Everyone ready for a dreadful 90 mins!? ๐Ÿ˜€

    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Its just as well its a public holiday for me tomorrow. Its almost 3am and I'm fully prepared to be put to sleep.

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        ๐Ÿ˜€

        1. Ryan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          I fell asleep last night during all the 0-0's ๐Ÿ˜€

    2. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      The dreadful 90 mins is going to deliver around 0.2 points every minute for me though

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Never has a man been so excited in a 0-0. ๐Ÿ˜€

  27. davies
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Morgan is going to have Drogba in his pocket.

  28. Chenkuโ•ฐโ˜†โ•ฎ
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    somehow get the feeling there will be a few goals today.

    1. Numb
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Seems to be in these big Super Sunday games.

  29. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    As expected, no Costa. Hope the false 9 system works out.

    Let's do this.

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Boooo!

  30. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I would take a 0-0

    1. TuttiFrutti
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Hoping for a goalfest, here