Dugout Discussion
14 January 2017 3043 comments
Mark Mark
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Saturday’s events conclude at the King Power Stadium, with champions Leicester City hosting potential champions elect Chelsea.

The pre-match chatter is dominated by the stories surrounding Diego Costa. Despite reports suggesting that the striker had been dropped as a result of a dispute and fall-out with the club, Antonio Conte has now offered the official line, blaming a back problem for Costa’s absence today….

“On Tuesday, Diego stopped training with a pain in his back and then in the week he didn’t train with us.”

It remains to be seen if there are further developments in the week, putting Costa’s future Gameweek starts in doubt. The Spaniard was sold by huge numbers overnight, with more than 400,000 Fantasy Premier League managers showing him the exit; over 378,000 of those transfers were in the last 24-hours.

Eden Hazard looks likely to lead the Chelsea attack in Costa’s absence, with Pedro and Willian flanking the Belgian.

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

  1. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    LMS entry closed for the season.

    3866 entered, 889 are qualified for GW21.

    Good luck for the rest of the season to all involved. 🙂

    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      High safety score this week?

      1. PvA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        500

        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 21 days ago

          So 44 isn't any good

          1. PvA
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 21 days ago

            No, unlucky. Should've had Kane and captained Alonso

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        No idea yet.

      3. Lallana_
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        100 😛

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 21 days ago

          Safe then 🙂

          1. Delhidynamo
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 21 days ago

            Raise your bat TM

            amazing gw

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 21 days ago

              Will probably struggle to make top 10 in LMS but cheers 🙂

    2. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Think this is the longest I've been in it (from the start).

      Kind of figures because my OR is usually crap at the start of the season and builds to a decent finish at the end, this season mostly hovered around 5 figures.

    3. Monty PieFan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Turns out I was launched out in GW5. I suck

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Alonso essential?

    Carroll+Lovren > Crouch+Alonso for free?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Not unless they are free. The former have good fixtures.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        It's for a free!! Can't decide! Ah!!

  3. Weasel51
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Right guys, let me know what ya ALL think

    Heaton (Pickford)
    Evans Alonso Chambers (Pieters Amat)
    Antonio Sanchez Alli Phillips (Leko)
    Aguero Ibra Giroud

    1FT 0.0 ITB

    Thinking of getting coutinho in? Yay or nay? And how?

    Any changes?

  4. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    2.1m in the bank, what to do? Think I need Kane in and Ake/Negredo out...

    Heaton
    Alonso friend holebas ake Amat
    Sanchez Phillips Alli lallana De Roon
    Ibra Kun Negredo

  5. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Some cracking goals for motd later. Carroll and Lanzini's alone were superb finishes.

    Plus my ML rival sold Antonio and got Snoddy

  6. ryacoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Looking for a player to sacrifice in order to afford Cedric/Benteke to Baines/Defoe.

    Cedric, Hazard & Benteke > Baines, Alli/Coutinho & Defoe (-4) - worth it?

    Seems crazy to lose Hazard with HUL up next but the moves overall look good to me. Could wait 1 week but then I miss Coutinho's nice fixture v SWA and also, I'd have to waste a FT this week.

    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      I'd keep Hazard. Last chance saloon an all that.

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Id just get Cedric out myself.

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        I have nothing ITB though, so can't sell him without freeing up cash somewhere.

    3. rivercityransom
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      keep cedric, good fixtures and good defensive team

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        Saint's form isn't great though and their good fixtures are mostly away. Plus, Baines fixtures are starting to turn and he has pens.

        1. rivercityransom
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 21 days ago

          leicester at home next gw, followed by swa (a), whm (h), sun (a). no reason to ditch before that.

          1. ryacoo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 21 days ago

            Can't see any clean sheets away from home. West Ham and Leicester aren't easy - maybe 1 clean sheet from the 4 imo - 2 max I'd say. Plus, Cedric is constantly getting rotated/injured/ill.

  7. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Gun to the head type question. I may need to sell one of my big hitters to redress team balance, which one :

    Sanchez, Aguero, Kane, Zlatan.

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Kun

    2. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Aguero

    3. Prøfeßör …
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Aguero.

    4. Lawrø
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      See how Kun does tomorrow I guess, hard call. I'd consider trying to cover Kane's points with Spurs mids

    5. BabyB
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Aguero for me. Just think the value argument is valid here.

      Also, fixtures aren't fantastic, may have lost pens, pep rotating etc. Just can't see him getting back in my team anytime soon.

    6. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Yeah, gotta be Aguero really.

    7. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Thanks chaps 🙂

    8. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Aguero

    9. Ridcully
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      At the minute I would say Agüero. See how he does tomorrow.

  8. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    How did Carroll play today? Keep or time to get rid?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Well he scored a stunner and got the beeb man of the match.

  9. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Utd Liverpool prediction?

    thinking 2-0 Utd. not feeling confident about this one.

    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      1-1

      1. Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        Ibra and Lallana plz

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Yup 2-0

    3. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      2-2

      1. Kaneyonero
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        Ibra bra e and lallana brace plz

    4. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      0-0 neither are giving up many chances.

    5. Monty PieFan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      3-0 United. Rooney to break record with ibra on scoresheet too

    6. Toure The Route
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      2-2

  10. Rh4ziel
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Came home, check fpl, Alonso 21pts, wtf...... but what about Ake? Ake> ?

    1. KLOPPTOMANIA
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Chambers if you don't have him?

  11. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    keep Ake or sell?

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Sell

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Sell

      He has zero chance of being a regular this season

    3. Shultan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Sell

  12. JAC THE CAT
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    That Alonso haul saved my skin not owning any Spurs.

    1. Lallana_
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Same. Person behind me in my ML had Kane (C) with Eriksen so it wasn't looking good until Alonso came in

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Snap. ML rival captained him and I almost rage quitted before the Sanchez goal and Alonso brace.

  13. ronty
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Siggy > Pedro done

    Don't remember last time I used a FT so early

    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      This is the move I'm considering. Are you confident he will start ahead of Willian?

      1. ronty
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        his form keeps him ahead imo

        plus I am chasing a bit,so got a bit punty

    2. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Already own Phillips?

      I'm deciding between them

  14. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    In all my years of playing this game, I don't think I've ever seen the leader of the whole game that far ahead before, and that is before this week let alone after.

    1. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      He is in the illuminati I'm sure

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Keeps outscoring the pack near him. Matter of time before that stops happening.

      1. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        Even so, he has a hefty lead to defend already.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 21 days ago

          No chips so the lead is shrinking already.

          1. Bouncebackability
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 21 days ago

            Admittedly I didn't see that, but chips are no guarantee. I will keep an eye on him to see how he progresses. I

            I'd rather be where he is with no meaningful chips left, he has the points on the board.

    3. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Yeah, he's flying, fair play, what a feeling it must be!

      One day Rodders, one day.

      1. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        Thats the goal! 🙂

    4. Shultan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Yep & he has 3 including agueto to go

    5. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      I will catch him I got TC and bench boost left he has not 🙂

  15. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Unsure whether to gamble on Pedro. He's not nailed on is he? Is it just him and Willian fighting for one spot when Costa plays?

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Yup him and Willian. Not nailed. Very good option imo.

    2. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      He's a likely starter but you wouldn't be surprised to see him benched

  16. Get up ya bum
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Did people actually sell Alonso? 😀

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      They sure did 🙂

      1. Lallana_
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        post here if you did

        1. Lizard Lips
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 21 days ago

          http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/01/13/fanduel-focus-gameweek-21/?hc_page=8#hc_comment_14845318

          I was set on Anichibe to Crouch (I'd have 110 points+ with Lallana and Ibra to play and 2FT moving forward). Instead I did:

          Alonso + Lallana + Anichibe > Daniels + Stan + Gru for a hit

          Cost me 23 points (including hit), a FT, and whatever Lallana gets. Brutal.

          1. Lallana_
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 21 days ago

            So unlucky. As least Stan took the pen from Daniels. Could have been another Bournemouth player to make it worse.

            move might work out in the next few fixtures

            1. Lizard Lips
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 21 days ago

              Really hoping so. Really didn't want to sell Alonso but had had enough of Anichibe, turns out the move really went bad for now!

          2. Get up ya bum
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 21 days ago

            Ouch. Couldn't have been more brutally punished for a silly mistake. Reminds me of selling alexis against my better judgement and he scored 5 in the next 2. We live and learn.

            1. Lizard Lips
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 21 days ago

              Another day Alonso gets 2, Giroud gets 10+ and a few more in the next games and I am sitting here feeling smug. Wasn't to be! 🙁

          3. agueroooooooo
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 21 days ago

            wow really? Hadn't heard you mention this.

            I took kane, heaton & alonso out for courtouis, mee and lukaku - just gotta take the rough with the smooth

          4. RoysCallerAnne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 21 days ago

            Jesus, give it a rest pal.

            Would shoulda coulda

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      They did? They must be hard to please irl.

  17. the axolotl
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    so, assuming vertongen out for a bit, who's going to play CB for spurs? dier? wimmer?

    nobody could win the league with wimmer! transfer market perhaps? has fonte been linked?

    1. ronty
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Davies

    2. The Enlightener
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Can B. Davies slot into central D? Looks like Dier could be well lined up as well, as I think they can cover his spot accordingly with someone else.

    3. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Fonte could be a helluva shout. Bet they will have a look now for sure.

    4. Gareth nose
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Wimmers a good player

      1. the axolotl
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        he's ok. he's not a premier league winning centre back that's for sure

  18. Duffy Dunk
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Do we know anything about Giroud's condition? Even if fit, do you think he will start next match?

    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Wenger on Giroud

      "He has an ankle problem. I don’t know how bad it is. It’s being assessed now by the doctor. I hope it’s not bad."

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Ankles notorious for being a few weeks out.

  19. The Enlightener
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Kinda funny in Conte's postmatch interview when asked about Alonso's performance. He kind of shrugged it off more than anything and said it wasn't about one player. It was the whole team kinda stuff. Almost like he was decided in his mind that he wanted to toy with dropping him, but was now handcuffed. Just my take, anyways.

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      He's always team > individual.

      1. The Enlightener
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        I thought it might be something like that. Haven't seen enough of his interviews to get a hold of his style, if you will. Just seemed like he went a little extra with the hyping it down to bare level response.

    2. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Alonso is a Conte signing so I'm surprised with the negativity the press are giving him.

      1. The Enlightener
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        It all got a ton of steam, didn't it?

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 21 days ago

          Good ol pommy press. Journalism is dead.

    3. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      I cannot get my head around the Alonso being dropped rumours. Chelsea have won 14 of their last 15 games and kept clean sheets in most matches. Why would Alonso be in any danger of being dropped

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        Nobody is in danger of being dropped. Why? Because they recalled a talented kid as a much needed squad player?

      2. The Enlightener
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        Hard to get the low down truth in sports news in general. Lots of smoke and mirrors and God knows what else really going on behind the scenes.

    4. Pinky Blinders
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Yes, saw that as well and thought the same thing. Like he had already said something to Ake about upcoming starts and now he's like oh man, this is all a bit inconvenient.

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        I'd be very surprised if he even sees ake as a winger. Looks more like cover for the 3 cb's and 2 dm's to me. Pedro more likely on the left but not as balanced as Alonso.

    5. Shultan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Are you an alonso seller by any chance?

  20. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Goodbye Robert Snodgrass... you have served me well.

    1. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      This. Goodbye my lover.

  21. Swansea Bloke
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Help please!

    Have Anichebe. Will he be back in the starting line up next week? (Supposed to be returning from injury 21/01/2017). If not then who do I transfer in for him?

    I'm thinking Crouch, Barnes, Hernandez etc etc. Enablers as I'm playing 352.

    None of the above have particularly good fixtures so any suggestions welcome...have £6.6 to spend but don't ideally want or need to spend it all for a bencher...

    Cheers 🙂

  22. camarozz
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Didn't realize Kane cost 0.4 more than Costa . Damn it. What you guys doing with Costa?????

    1. S.Agueroooooo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Don't know? Can tell by contes interview there has been a falling out not just speculation

  23. Pinky Blinders
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    I gotta say, and I know they were playing against palace but Antonio is good. Also feeling like swapping Haz out for Pedro. I don't see much of a difference between the two of them on the pitch so are pens worth the money gap?

  24. cniami
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    grant/randolph
    alonso, williams, chambers, jones, walker
    hazard, sanchez, phillips, eriksen, alli
    costa, grabban, defoe
    .1 itb with 1 free transfer
    any transfers i should make?

  25. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Time to sell Alonso? 😉

    1. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA wow really good one man. Has everyone in stitches

      1. Lallana_
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        triggered

  26. nkhoughton
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    What are odds on anyone captaining or triple captaining Alonso this week

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      He's my VC

    2. S.Agueroooooo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      12 tripled him

      1. nkhoughton
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 21 days ago

        Anyway to find that out?

        1. Lallana_
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 21 days ago

          official fpl twitter

    3. Karan_G14
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      12 people did.

  27. S.Agueroooooo
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Bottomed

    Can only do Costa > Kane tonight.. wait? And not be able to do the move?

    Or wait and lukaku?

  28. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Kun out for Kane - yay or nay?

    Heaton
    Alonso friend holebas ake Amat
    Sanchez Phillips Alli lallana De Roon
    Ibra Kun Negredo

  29. Zlatans little helper
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    In what order would you sort the following, in terms of whom to prioritize getting in:

    A) Kane
    B) Lukaku
    C) Aguero

    1) Coutinho
    2) Eriksen

  30. Rh4ziel
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 21 days ago

    Alonso owner, Antonio owner 117pts, any good?

    1. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Flagged

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      Always look forward to your posts

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 21 days ago

      As if you had to ask mr big shot!