Dugout Discussion
2 January 2017 2295 comments
Mark Mark
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Just 24-hours after waving goodbye to Gameweek 19, we’re underway again as the exhausting festive period draws to a close.

In Fantasy terms, we at least appear to be eased into this next round of fixtures.

Middlesbrough host Leicester City in a match-up that, on paper, harbours little interest for Fantasy managers.

Alvaro Negredo and Gaston Ramirez are perhaps the major attacking assets on show, as we get the opportunity to scout their potential ahead of Boro’s kind run of January fixtures.

Given that Middlesbrough have scored just 17 goals from their 19 matches, Aitor Karanka’s defence is perhaps more likely to offer us profit, with Ben Gibson already backed by 9.6% of FPL managers. He starts today but, elsewhere in the Boro rearguard, a knee injury to keeper Victor Valdes keeps him out of action, while George Friend is relegated to the bench having returned to the starting XI at Old Trafford in Gameweek 19.

They are part of five changes made by both Middlesbrough and Leicester, perhaps indication of a turbulent day for the teamsheets.

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

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

    WBA vs Hull, score predictions? I reckon 4-0

    1. Bleach †
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      3-0. Maybe 3-1 if Snoddie bangs in a FK

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      3-0

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

      1-2. No WBA players 😉

    4. Slam
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A dull 0-0 affair

    5. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      3-1 for me.

    6. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Phillips 4-0 Jaku's shadow

    7. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hope you're right. /Phillips captainer

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

        Rondon(c) and Brunt here

    8. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      2-1

    9. El-Kloppico
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      3-1
      Phillips hatty.

  2. Zeeco
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Why did Friend only get 1 Point,what about the clean sheet points?

    1. Big Mac 24
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Played < than 60 minutes

  3. Crystal Ball
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Bloody hell did Barragan go off injured?

    1. dcarlito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hammer apparently.

    2. thep025
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah...Have him...Irritating...

  4. Viprin
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which one is worse??
    A) Friend owners just 3 mins short of cs
    B)Aguero owners who brought him in for a hit and captained

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      b lol

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

      B. Landslide.

    3. dcarlito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Spare a thought for Barragan owners

    4. Big Mac 24
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      And if you happen to put your hand up on both counts?

      1. kawaiii
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Me, for a 12 point hit !

        1. Big Mac 24
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Me too, hoping for Rondon and Lallana madness! And of course ana gusto brace from the bench

          1. kawaiii
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            The question now is, what to do with Aguero ?

    5. XabiAlonso
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A the more unlucky B the bigger gamble

  5. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Why am I so bad at a game with over 4m players and over 3.5m either don't know the rules or have the ability to read them? 😛

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Lack patience. Choose quality and stick by them.

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Not really my point 😉 But yeah

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      And why do we continue to play it year in year out?

    3. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bet you still get more enjoyment out of the average GW by playing the way you do rather than just being a dullard or stock-piling transfers.

    4. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It's a complete lottery.

    5. Kane-harry Island
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I totally get your point 😉

  6. Garlana
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Barragan getting injured is bad enough, the fact I missed out on a cleanie too is a double whammy, probably more friend owners who are equally anoyyed by this!

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

    As a Friend and Origi owner, i feel physically ill

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Well Origi wasn't expected and Friend could easily have 0.

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

        Origi was expected to start. Most predicted that, with Firmino getting rested.

        Friend would have likely got baps if he started, and was unlucky not to get multiple attacking returns.

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

          Origi was never a long term option sorry you must be aware he will not be a regular every week when a full team is available

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

            I am aware but that does not change the fact he was expected to start this game and could have done very well.

      2. JÆKS ⭐
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Origi was expected in almost every line up

  8. thep025
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Friend vs Chambers for the future??

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

    Cant wait to see the reaction of Kun lollers when he comes on 2nd half to score a brace 😉

    Ofcourse they'll go back to the cave

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

      They're getting posts deleted left and right

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think this will happen. It is funny that he is benched, but I am not stupid - the guy is a quality player who will score goals. I just think Ibra and Costa will outscore him this season so would rather have them and the money saving.

    3. dcarlito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Anybody "lol'ing @" anybody should be banned.

      1. Bleach †
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        lol @dcarlito

        1. dcarlito
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Ban 😉

      2. Odikostar
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        lol @dcarlito

    4. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      part of the site now.
      4 big hitting strikers (most will only have 2) so every GW there'll be Lolling at something. Like the Kane keepers yesterday.

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

    I tweeted @FPL

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

      That will show them

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

        It was strongly worded

    2. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      They've already tweeted about it

      https://twitter.com/OfficialFPL/status/815916139666669568

      1. JustPark
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        so many rage

      2. tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        then it's a stupid rule.
        If he scores or gets a red card in extra time it affects his score.
        Theory behind extra-time is to make sure there is 90 minutes of playing time. So if he's on the pitch for 2/3 of game should get the points.
        Non-owner.

    3. Bleach †
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You go girl.

    4. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      perfect

    5. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I hope it started..

      Darling fascist bully-boy... Give me some more points...

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

    Who else switching to 3-5-2 after this week.
    I just cant get the 3rd striker right, had nacho twice now origi for 3 games but not started twice.
    Lallana could now be 5th mid but ive missed out on so many points & be paying 0.5 more than rivals

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

      If I decide to pull the wildcard trigger then I'll definetly switch for 3-5-2. Borini being my third striker

    2. JÆKS ⭐
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Same dilemma, might also buy Rondon and keep the formation

      1. Shultan
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I have phillips & evans so dont fancy triple west brom. Cant afford benteke. & negredo well boro just dont score a lot.

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

      Just gone to 3-5-2 and ditched Benteke as I don't think Palace will play attacking football under Big Sam

    4. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane, Ibra, Costa, Lukaku, Rondon, Negredo all nailed. Pick three.

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

    Kun was completely anonymous against Liverpool. Is it just possible that he's been dropped?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      2 games in 48hours for an injury prone player, was always a risk.

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He has been. He also was dropped earlier in the season

    3. Sillet Bang
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No chance. Wishful thinking?

    4. El-Kloppico
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      of course.

    5. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      no service from silva or kdb who were right off the pace as well

    6. GREENDREAMS11
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      tbf to him Citys midfield were dire, he got no service at all..... cant blame him for that but maybe Pep is unhappy at him not tracking back and helping out etc.

    7. DLL18
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe, Burnley at home would be exactly the right kind of game for him to get some confidence back though.

      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      good haul today Numb 🙂

      🎣

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

        Thanks

  13. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    The clean sheet rule has been like that since as far as I can remember. Might be worth reviewing but no point moaning about something that was never going to happen.

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      BUT CEDRiC PLAYED 60!!!!!

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        😀

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

      but....bloody three minutes 😐 wouldn't moan if he would have been subbed at extra time

    3. MTPockets
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Seems sensible.
        90 min - stoppage + extra time = 90 minutes

      • ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        #Friendfor6

      • Shultan
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I dont own friend but i can see why his owners are annoyed.

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

        Yes rules are rules but it surely needs to be revised. If yellow/red cards, goals, assists and save points can be counted.......

      • dcarlito
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Pity this can't be pinned to the top of every page.

        +1

    4. Champione
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Times have changed. No people are hoping that Pulis' attacker can make up for Aguero fails (too early I know..) 😉

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

        wups, now**

    5. Jedi_Reed
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Well, I own him and with that Friend 1 point you just have to laugh. FPL can be cruel.

      Still, encouraged by his performance. If Negredo had been better, there would've been at least an assist. Hopefully he can come back in, if Barragan is out.

    6. Mayo for Sam
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Where's Friend's CS he played over 60 minutes?

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        57 / 90 minutes.

      2. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Gods sake

      3. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        He came on after 30 minutes.

        1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          But played about 70 mins

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

            Injury time only makes up for time lost during the match

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

      It couldn't of even been Nolitio starting up front. Had to be Nacho to troll us even more

    8. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Still wishing for late nacho injury and kun coming....
      What a season it could be if I had never bought kun at any stage..
      fml

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

      Friend comes on 34th minute, game ends 97th. That's 63mins therefore 6 points. Game credits him 57mins and 1 point. Harsh

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        57 / 90

      2. JAC THE CAT
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Rules is rules

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

          The rules don't say that

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

          Indeed. Another nail in this period's coffin for me

      3. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Always been like that.

        Different conversation is whether it should be like that in coming seasons of course as goals and assists count after the 90.

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

          The rules don't say that. They say played 60 minutes on the pitch. Which he did.

          1. Lone Wolf FPL
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            this

          2. Respect My Authoritah
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Good point. They don't. We just know what the case is from experience. Should clarify on the main site too

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

          Yeah. Oh well

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

          A goal scored on 94 mins gets credited as 90mins in FPL. No comparison.

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

        Sajtandidnt bring you you the rules of football book then?

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

          OK I've been at the booze.

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

            Rule 2.5: Only some of your players shall play and those who do shall score thou very few points

        2. BIJ
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          What does that have to do with anything. The rules on FPL are quite clear. You must be on the pitch and play for 90 minutes which he did.

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

            *60 minutes

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

            He didn't, he was on the pitch for over 60 mins but he did not play for over 60 mins. When the ref stops the clock for an injury, which he then adds on at the end of the alloted 90 mins, are the players playing? No. There's your answer.

    10. rnrd
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      there is no other explanations than the injury record of Aguero with him being benched today. I saw it coming although I have cleared funds for kun for next week.
      Kun(c) don't freak out, there is not many scenari in which Aguero plays 10 min today. It is Either 30+ or 0 and kun can make A LOT of damage in 30 mins

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Imagine triple damage for 90 minutes

    11. -SB-
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Is Jones playing for Utd?

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Expected but nothing certain.

      2. El-Kloppico
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        wil Know in 1.5hours.. except if you've got Mou's num

    12. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Come on Burnley score early!

    13. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone watching how Iheanachos warm up is going?

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        He just fell down.. maybe he's injured..
        But Gabriel Jesus warming up behind 🙂

      2. MTPockets
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Spotted someone rapidly peeling a banana by the tunnel.

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

        Regret not getting Yaya or Sterling now.

        1. Respect My Authoritah
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Super Tom double digit haul incoming

        2. Bleach †
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I dont know. Every City player is a rotation risk.

      4. TooDifficuIt
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        what's wrong with pep !

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Flu got to him after the Anfield defeat

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

          Aguero has a bad injury history and he probably won't need him to win this game.

      5. twoplustwo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Jesus Christ that Sunderland team...

        1. JÆKS ⭐
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          With rivals owning Lallana and I have Origi, I don't like the look of that team at all!

        2. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Did you mean Jesus Navas? Or Jesus Gabriel?

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

          Good job they have loads of cash to splash in January. Hang on a minute....

          1. twoplustwo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            🙂

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

        Goals scored and conceded after 90mins count but keeping cs from 33min to 93min isn't counted as a cs. Makes no sense.

        1. Are you Shaw?
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          i am emailing everybody.. Mark and the FPL team... they better sort this out... its not fair.. the man played 62 minutes with stoppage time added of course...

          also do count that there were 3 minutes added to the first half

          1. Bleach †
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Lol.

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

          this,5 points robbed

      7. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I feel like Steven Avery

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

          Guilty?

        2. Numb
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          😆

      8. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        To be fair they could re-word this a bit....

        A clean sheet is awarded for not conceding a goal whilst on the pitch and playing at least 60 minutes.

        1. Bleach †
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Excluding extra-time. 🙂

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

            It's not extra, it's injury time, it's still part of the 90 mins.

      9. RubberDucky
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Stuck Origi on my bench as first sub.

          This will still come back to haunt me!