Dugout Discussion
26 December 2016 3348 comments
Mark Mark
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Gameweek 18 continues in some style, with half a dozen three o’clock kick-offs boasting a strong cast of leading Fantasy assets.

All the top captaincy options are in action, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic carrying huge expectations into Manchester United’s Old Trafford meeting with Sunderland – he is the top choice for skipper, backed by 25% of Fantasy Premier League managers.

Equally, Arsenal pair Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott promise attacking returns of their own at the Emirates, though the latter misses out – he is suffering a calf complaint which allows Olivier Giroud to earn a recall up front. Sanchez is backed by 14.6% for the captaincy but finds himself deployed on the right flank today.

Stamford Bridge will also be a major focus.

Without the suspended Diego Costa against visitors Bournemouth, manager Antonio Conte deploys Eden Hazard as his central attacker, with Michy Batshuayi kept on the bench. Hazard has returned six of his eight goals at home but has recorded just a single strike in his last five Gameweek starts.

Elsewhere, Swansea City’s meeting with West Ham in South Wales also promises goals and returns, with Gylfi Sigurdsson the star turn on show.

Burnley’s meeting with Middlesbrough is, on paper at least, likely to be a far more dour affair, while Everton’s visit to Leicester City pairs two unpredictable sides.

Romelu Lukaku is by far the most popular asset on show as he seeks to exploit a Foxes defence without the suspended Robert Huth and Christian Fuchs. However, the Belgian has scored in just one of his last seven Gameweeks.

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

  1. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    KDB assisting the assister. FFS.

  2. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Aw aye, NOW he scores.

  3. Werkself
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    De Bruyne assisting the assister.

  4. wbm
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Finally holding on to Nacho pays off a bit, sure has been an awful transfer.
    Would have gotten rid earlier, but just had to do Kane > Ibra befor this GW with my FT.

    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Worst transfer ever! But it's got us some points eventually

  5. FPL Notebook (John)
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Makes up for my Benteke -1 earlier

  6. DantheManinaPan
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    YayNachoooo!

  7. Shaikh91
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Nacho gave me some return for the past few weeks I've had to keep him

  8. fantasyfiwip
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    The BIG question for me this week;
    Will Walcott start against Crystal Palace?
    If not who will get more points next week, Hazard or Satchel?

    1. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Answer: 2 small questions = 1 BIG question

      1. fantasyfiwip
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Apologies 1 BIG and a follow up question.
        I want to do Payet > Walcott and Hazard > Sanchez over the next two game weeks.
        But with Hazard playing Stoke next I can't transfer him out this week, can I?

    2. MartialMatas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Does Satchel play for the Baggies?

    3. Ridcully
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I imagine Satchel will bag a few points.

  9. roghippo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    kdb captain fail
    letting sky sports dictate my team as always.

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      why did you captain him over likes of ibra and hazard ?

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        80% of his post says why...

  10. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    http://gph.is/12MTajM

  11. MarvelouSuccess
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    best striker for 7.8 mill budget?

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      rondon and tekkers

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Rondon imo

    3. Morgs
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Defoe by a mile

  12. ol3andre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Will Nyom rise tonight?

    I can do Jordi Amat/Donald Love for a FT for Nyom and get 0.0 ITB.

    But I have Theo injured also and fire players left in this GW. What would you do?

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

      Wouldn't bet on it, hardly moving on FFF.

    2. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Isn't Nyom likely to be off to the African Cup of Nations in a few weeks?

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

        Doesn't want to go

        1. FPL Panda
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Is he going or not TM?

          1. Licious Lizard
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Read the article on AFCON players. No news since then.

          2. ol3andre
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            He is not going to AFCON according to the afcon article.

        2. @ocprodigy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          He won't be allowed to play though, so not worth bringing in tbh.

          1. Licious Lizard
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Not certain yet.

          2. ol3andre
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Because?

        3. Reuser
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Really? That's interesting - thanks.

      2. WVA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Apparently he's refused to go so might get a ban

      3. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nah he doesn't fancy it

    3. WVA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gonna be tight with nyom, if not tonight def tomorrow. Depends on your squad.

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

        Rest of the squad is:

        Foster

        Van Dijk - Rose - Lovren - Amat - Love

        Sanchez - Lallana - Hazard - Walcott - Knightly

        Costa - Ibrahimovic - Negredo

  13. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20161226/team-news-walcott-and-gibbs-latest

    on Gibbs…
    It’s a kick. I don’t know how bad it is, but it’s a kick on the knee.

    on Theo…
    Theo has a small calf problem, but a very small one.

    1. AA33
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

      • how now brown cow
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Small calf?

      • potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        its not small, its just far away

      • Legomane
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Doesnt that Theo just sound like covering for him being given a wee break? Expect him to start next Game?

    2. The Hoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Dropped, Would really appreciate your thoughts on this WC team

      Cech Pickford
      Jones McAuley Holebas Ake Amat
      Sanchez Hazard (Walcott/ Firmino dep on injury/arrest)
      Ibra Defoe Benteke

      0.3 itb

      Defence is weak but the only good defence in the game, Chelsea, is about to go on an awful run of fixtures.

      1. Licious Lizard
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Downgrade Cech.
        McAuley -> Brunt.
        Amat -> Nyom if he doesn't get suspended for refusing to take part in AFCON.
        Would stay away from both Walcott and Firm atm.
        Who are your 4th and 5th mids?

        1. The Hoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks, they seem to have dropped off! Philips and Allen. Have low tv. Why brunt over McCauley ? Everyone likes brunt but McCauley is getting goals and is cheaper

          Arsenal have great fixtures - aside from bell and kos no-one in def looks safe. What do you think?

      2. WVA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Rondon instead of Defoe
        Definitely downgrade Cech
        Stay away from Holebas
        Get a Chelsea defender

    3. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      9.6 for Wally replacement if he isn't declared fit.
      Who to go for..?

      1. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        mkhitaryan

      2. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Mkhi ?

    4. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      CURRENT BONUS
      3 bonus points: Otamendi, Yaya Touré
      2 bonus points:
      1 bonus points: Iheanacho, Clichy

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

        3 - Yaya Touré (33)
        2 - Otamendi (31)
        1 - Sagna (28)

    5. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Boxing Day this year has had a daft setup. Last year I think they had an early kickoff, 3pm kickoffs, 5:15 kickoff and Soton crushing Arsenal at 7:45.

      1. Ravager
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        And the fixtures weren't exactly appealing this year. Meh...

    6. wachu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Costa price is protect? for how long?

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        7 days.

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        about a week

        1. Morgs
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Why is his price protected?

      3. wachu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        wow, it's good news.
        Thank you guys 🙂

    7. Clump
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I've stunk for weeks. Gone well this week with Ibra c.
      Thinking too much emphasis is placed on picking the right c.
      Rant over.

      1. Differentiator
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        ???

        Say you've done badly and then the one week you've nailed the C, you've done well.

        Then question the importance of the C?

        ???

        1. Clump
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yep. Think it carries a little too much weight.

          ???

          1. You Must Be Jokin Ere
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            You must really hate the triple captain then.

            1. Clump
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Not a huge fan of the chips either. Humbug.

      2. You Must Be Jokin Ere
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ive heard better rants.

        1. Clump
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Just warming up.

    8. Danstoke82
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Is Yaya off to the AFCON next month?

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Retired

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Retired.

      3. Jamin
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nope he retired

        1. Danstoke82
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers all. Might bring him in for Mane considering I have Lallana also for Pool cover

      4. Clump
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        No, retired.

    9. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      15.2m to spend on two midfielders. Hit me with suggestions.

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Miki + Phillips

        1. The Big Fella
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Already have Philips. Current midfield: Sanchez, Philips Carrick and I want to sell Lallana (I have Origi) and Sigurdsson.

          1. Morgs
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Give Siggy another 1-2 gameweeks, good fixtures

      2. thunder_mike
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Phillips and Lallana?

        1. The Big Fella
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          See above. It seems Philips will be a popular choice in the coming weeks.

    10. KISSES
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      KDB worth holding?

      1. Grand Thibauto
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Not at all

      2. WVA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yep

      3. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        No. I'm getting rid.

    11. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      So Nacho to Origi might not pay off after all lol. Come on Divock!

    12. Sol
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Will Lallana rise tonight?

      1. Gamst - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        The South will rise tonight!

      2. WVA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Na tomo

        1. Sol
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          you think , got the exact cash for it 😐

    13. MTPockets
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Plan was Defoe/Hazard-> Aguero/Philips (wba fixtures) & 0.2m itb

        Pickford, Foster
        Alonso, McAuley, Cedric, Holebas, Amat
        Sanchez, Lallana, Siggy, Phillips, deRoon
        Aguero, Ibra, Costa

        Siggy & Hazard form now giving some pause. Any thoughts on squad - too top heavy?

        1. Danstoke82
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Lovely front 3 but yes feel your MID is a bit weak.

          1. MTPockets
              9 years, 1 month ago

              That's fair - just can't decide what to do for Aguero.

          2. Jamin
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Like it but think I'd hold fire for a week

          3. WVA
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Hold but really like it, my plan was Defoe and hazard to rondon and kdb but think your plan is better.

            1. MTPockets
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Cheers both. Will probably hold, but fed up with Defoe.

          4. Tomlette Greggs
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            so Hazard tied for 3 bonus points with Pedro (40 BPS each, now that the third goal was changed to an OG)? Or could it still change?

            1. Over Midwicket
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Pedro got the 2nd goal or..? He's on like 50 BAPs

              1. Tomlette Greggs
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                changed now

          5. Over Midwicket
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Seems I have too many players I want before GW20 with too few FTs/not enough $$$..

            Costa, Kun and Brunt come to mind..

          6. FPL Panda
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Scoutcast this week ? If so what night ?

            1. MartialMatas
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              no

          7. MartialMatas
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            did haz just change to 3 bonus?

            1. Over Midwicket
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              No, 2nd goal accredited to Pedro at least one my screen. After update, it can't be changed anyways

              1. Tomlette Greggs
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                now an OG. Pedro assist.

            2. AA33
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Yes

            3. Wilshere Knowledge
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              F U Sterling.