Dugout Discussion
7 August 2016 3899 comments
Mark Mark
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The first competitive game of the domestic season warrants our first Dugout Discussion.

There is just so much on show to interest Fantasy Football managers, as Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City clash with Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United under the baking sun of Wembley.

The form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will inevitably come under the closest scrutiny – the latter begins on the bench but Ibrahimovic starts; his display will surely be crucial to his burgeoning ownership levels over the next 24-hours.

But it’s dangerous to ignore Leicester.

Both Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy are on Ranieri’s teamsheet as they bid to play their way into our day one thinking for the potentially profitable trip to Hull City. Again, their performances could change everything, forcing us back to the drawing board in a matter of hours.

It’s a fascinating scenario and a fitting taster to the season kick-off next weekend.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

  1. Positively Animal
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Good evening all. I would be grateful for any advice on these chaps:

    GK: Cech
    DEF: Balley, Stones & Clichy
    MID: Sanchez, Oscar, Redmond & Fegouli
    STR: Aguero, Kane & Carrol

    SUBS: Foster, de Roon, Pieters & McAuley

    Thanks....

  2. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    This City team just look waaaay behind schedule. It's as if this is their first pre season match.

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Preseason has not been too great for us. A bit worried.

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        The United game getting cancelled didn't help either.

    2. THE REAL RON ⚽
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Agreed. A mis-match team and they don't look like they're going to hit the ground running. 😕

      Arsenal haven't looked terrific either compared to Spurs/Pool.

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Fitness wise they don't, agreed

        1. THE REAL RON ⚽
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          And that's a big factor at this stage of the season.

    3. Ziro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Peppered with new tactics is all.

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Lool

      2. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        This too. A bit over the top if I'm honest

  3. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    City's defence looks no better than last year. Avoid.

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Arguably worse with that CB experiment

  4. Graceless Goof
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Walcott goal, Sanchez assist

  5. Coldplay
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    That gives Wenger the insurance that he doesn't need a striker. 😆

  6. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling looks the biggest threat today.

    1. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I've liked KdB since he's came on.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Me too. Sterling's been good all game.

  7. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Can't have GW1 without a good Feoooooooo bandwagon

  8. Spike ⚽️
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Man City looked better under Pellegrini

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      *quietly agrees*

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      It's the managers 3rd game in charge and none have been in a competitive competition

      1. Spike ⚽️
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Irelevant - Still the same core of players

  9. KingoftheRunts
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    fischer or ward-prowse? have feghouli who rotates with the latter

  10. yer_ould1
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Cech - Jakupovic

    Shaw - Terry - Souare - McAuley - Pieters

    Sigurdsson - Zaha - Kante - De Bruyne - Firmino

    Aguero - Rooney - Long

    Any criticisms?

    1. MarvelouSuccess
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      drop rooney after today. he was shocking.

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

        This

        1. yer_ould1
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Still think he'll factor heavily with Ibra knocking around, I don't usually take much from pre-season as performances in the league usually mirror pre-season performances.

  11. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    A) Kane and Oscar (+0,5)
    B) Hazard and Lukaku (or Rooney)

    1. Kizza_10
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard and Rooney

    2. Zareos
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard and Lukaku

      1. Zareos
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        If fit though

  12. Kizza_10
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    A.
    Forster & Evans

    Or

    B.
    Heaton & Stones

  13. Hakuna Juan Mata
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    who's more nailed on, clichy or sagna?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Clichy

  14. _Jane
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Kane or Vardy ?..

    1. The Road Dogg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      both, with Kun as well

  15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    wally looking confident

  16. ol3andre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    RMT 1-10 going with three big strikers. Unsure about the goalkeeper situation and Paredes dont I know much about...

    Foster - Jaku

    Walker - Shaw - McAuley - Paredes - Friend

    Tadic - Lamela - Oscar - Ayew - Højberg.

    Kane - Costa - Kun

    1. Ridgewell's scores
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Thought about it, albeit drew up a whole squad of likely starteds, but I don't think it's worth it.

      1. Ridgewell's scores
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Oh sorry, 5.

        1. ol3andre
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks a lot! Yeah think I need to go back to my old draft and leave Costa out of it and get a better midfield and another 5.0 defender.

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      6

      1. ol3andre
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks a lot, maybe the money need to be used more all over 🙁

  17. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Ox on

  18. Ayew Serious
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    So now that everyone owns theo
    Captain?

  19. The Donald
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Walcott wagon anyone 🙂

  20. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Seen a few predict City to struggle this season. Pep in for a shock? Or will they be ok?

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Might get off to a slow start

    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      they'll be fine.

    3. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      They'll be fine imo

    4. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      They will be ok

      He hasn't fielded the strongest 11 yet

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Good point. Perhaps a slow start and they pick up. They have a lot of quality.

    5. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I think we'll be fine

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Maybe my question wasn't specific. What do you consider as fine/ok, top 3?

        1. Jazz!
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          This season is incredibly tough to predict. I think Chelsea and Liverpool particularly will have great seasons with their squad, manager and the lack of Europe. United/City have made many great additions, can never count Arsenal out and Spurs have got a settled squad and manager.

          Can't wait till August 13th 🙂

        2. ★Kuntheman★
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          First place. We always have those expectations.

    6. Ziro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Have been on since last season when Pep was confirmed. He'll be found out. He's still a good manager but not too the level people associate him with based on his past success

    7. aehii
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I've predicted they'll be flying by November. He messes around a lot at the beginning but I think he demands so much that eventually its got to click....

    8. Somalion
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I think it's far too early to say. Pep has pedigree, but also better sides to work with. This will require some real effort and a few of those City boys like to throw the hands up and not bother at times. On the other hand, he has some of the best players in the league at his disposal.

      It's preseason and despite what some think, many players take it very easy before the competition kicks in.

    9. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Not with Joe Shart in goal

  21. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Kdb looks sharp

  22. Jazz!
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Any closer to a £4.0m playing def?

    1. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'm currently only 0.5 away.

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        😀

      2. Ziro
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        😆

      3. reason17
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        LOOOL

      4. Jazz!
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        😀

    2. Ayew Serious
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Swansea, two of them.

      Kingsley and Amat

      1. Jazz!
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Hmmm. Seems like GW1 only though. Guess that's the best we've got.

        1. Ayew Serious
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Amat could be longer, if Williams leaves

  23. Coldplay
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is that a passport in Mata's hand. Surely he's off? 😆

    https://twitter.com/AnderHerrera/status/762356968883453952

    1. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Mkhi looks left out 🙁

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Not even a real title. It's only a friendly.

      1. Coldplay
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Of course. Unless Villa's in it. Then it's like a Champions League final. 😉

  24. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Shocking miss by Yaya off a great cross from KDB

  25. The bounty bear
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    RMT

    Degea/Pope

    Morgan/Shaw/Mori/friend/Fry

    Hazard/Erkisson/Tadic/Townsend/Leko

    Kun/Vardy/Grey

  26. reason17
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    A) Fletcher
    B) Capoue

    Why?

  27. The Legend Squad
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Theoretically, Walcott playing well is extremely useful:

    Heaton Foster
    Valencia Gabriel Evans Kone Lenihan
    Tadic Oscar Walcott Lamela Hobjberg
    Aguero Kane Costa

    Is this too top heavy?

    1. The Donald
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      the Theo wagon always ends in tears

  28. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Someone talk me out of getting Baines.

    5.5m seems a steal.

    1. KeepCalm
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Mirallas - the anti-Baines

    2. THE REAL RON ⚽
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      No pens. A share of set pieces.

    3. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      If he has pens, lots will jump on. Without them he's just an English Coleman.

    4. SW6
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      He's lost pens and most free kicks.

      He's not even the best Everton full-back FPL wise

    5. Ziro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Mirallas says bye.

    6. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Goalman is younger, hungrier and fitter

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers guys!

  29. Hakuna Juan Mata
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    which one?

    A) Kane + Mahrez

    B) Vardy + Alli

    1. Trae44
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A but still think Mahrez could be overpriced

    3. FPLHaggis
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A) Musa will steal Vardy points

  30. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    So this is where I'm at.

    ---------------Heaton-Foster
    Shaw--Azpi--Evans--Friend--Pieters
    Hazard---Capoue----xx------xx-----xx
    Gray-----------Ibra---------------Aguero

    20.5 left

    Redmond and Deulofeu nailed? Leaves me with 8.0

    1. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Lamela Oscar Feghouli

      1. Giovanni Giorgio
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Have looked at Lamela too. Not interested in Oscar with Haz already in the team