Dugout Discussion
31 January 2017 4678 comments
Mark Mark
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Tuesday treats us to no less than seven Premier League fixtures as Gameweek 23 gets up and running.

Arsenal’s home encounter with Watford has earned Alexis Sanchez the top spot in our Captain Poll yet again, with the Chilean bagging a goal or assist in nine of the last ten Gameweeks.

Spurs make their way to Wearside with Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen all in fine form.

We’ve handed the latter two places in this week’s Scout Picks with the Black Cats hampered by injuries and suspension as they attempt to clamber out of the basement.

Kane, meanwhile, bagged third in our Captain Poll on the back of six goals and two assists in five.

We’re keeping a keen eye on mid-price midfielders Junior Stanislas and Matt Phillips ahead of clashes against Palace and Middlesbrough.

Both are in form and, crucially, have fixtures in Gameweek 26 and 28 – at present, Bournemouth and West Brom are two of only six sides guaranteed to feature on both occasions.

The same applies to Swansea pair Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente as Southampton roll up to the Liberty Stadium. Both were amongst the goals in the Gameweek 22 win at Anfield – their second victory in three since the departure of Bob Bradley.

Burnley’s Andre Gray is also a man in form – indeed, with five goals in as many matches prior to Leicester’s visit to Turf Moor, he earned a rare place in the Scout Picks.

All six of those matches get underway at 7.45pm, leaving Liverpool and Chelsea to play out the Tuesday fixtures in the 8pm kick-off.

Roberto Firmino bagged a brace in his previous Anfield appearance and could be key as the Reds attempt to avoid a fourth straight home loss in all competitions.

With a goal or assist in 16 of his 20 top-flight outings this term, Diego Costa was the most transferred in forward for the Gameweek at a time where the Eden Hazard exodus continues at pace, with over 122,000 FPL managers parting company with the Belgian ahead of tonight’s deadline.

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

  1. Toby Lerone
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    I'm 4 points behind in my H2H he has baines I have lukaku. Who wins?

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Whomever scores more points

    2. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      rival imo

    3. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Someone's gonna be fuming if there's a pen.

      1. *sigh*
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Nice grav bud.First album I heard at the age of 6!

  2. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Would you rather have McAuley or Brunt? I have McAuley but debating selling him and bringing in Brunt. He is the only player left in my team that has been there from start that I have never sold though. Should I keep him for posterity or bring in Brunt?

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Waste of a transfer if you have one already in my opinion

    2. Toure The Route
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Brunt supposedly does better at home, or so does West Brom so just hold for now, right now it feels like their away games are redundant .

  3. wowBOBwow
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    People taking this gw28 business way too seriously. People saying you can't trade out stanislas and you can't bring in PVA etc.

    So you're gonna hang onto an out if form player in an out of form team with horrible fixtures who never plays a full 90 in order to have him available for one game against a solid west ham team where he'll probably score two points?

    And we'll ignore PVAs next four being incredible while playing wingback in a solid defensive team because you'll get a blank in five weeks time?

    Crazy.

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      You tell em

    2. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      You can do whatever you like, it's your team

    3. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      PVA is a wait and see for me. One game v a poor BOU tells me nothing about Palace. That, with a blank, makes me cautious of bringing Palace into my team, but that's just the way I play the game

  4. Dickie1898
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts guys?

    Coutinho/Defoe OUT
    Zaha/Costa IN

    2ft

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'd just do Coutinho > Zaha

  5. Gooner Kebab
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    So, who's the Palace defenders to get:
    Dann 5.2
    Delaney 4.8
    PvA 5.0

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      PvA

    2. Toure The Route
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      PVA

  6. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Very tricky few GWs coming up.....

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I feel quite good about it. That's mainly because my transfers are going to pick themselves

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah I've done a rough plan through to GW29 and should/could get 11 in 28 with one hit.

        But just buying & selling at the right time is key.....sometimes blind to GW28 further fixtures

    2. Wally banter
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      -Decided on carroll/llorente?

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Not yet...50/50... need to make a decision by GW25, so got another round of games and tonight for Carroll to decide.

        You?

        1. Toure The Route
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          On this myself.
          Going Carroll because that enables Siggy if needed later on.
          Both have high influence on their teams so I assume it's the best combination.

          1. Jafooli
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Agree

        2. Wally banter
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Does stanislas blanks has something to do with him playing badly or the whole team playing bad?
          any advices whether to keep or let go

          1. Jafooli
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            I'd keep Stanilas as has a game in 28.....-

  7. Going Home
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Courtois
    Yoshida, McAuley, Jones
    Sanchez, Coutinho, Phillips, Alli (V)
    Giroud, Kane (C), Ibra

    Jakupovic, TCarroll, Pieters, Koscielny

    2FT, £0.1ITB

    Giroud + Ibra -> Lukaku and Costa seem sensible with both fixtures, form and the blanks coming up?

  8. caldracula
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Captain Eriksen or Alli?

    1. Going Home
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Toss a coin

      1. caldracula
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Eriksen it is

        1. Going Home
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          I've gone with Kane, Alli VC. Watch them all blank again...

    2. Toure The Route
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Eriksen is at his best at home
      Horrible away.
      Alli is slightly better away so I think Eriksen is a safe call

  9. Totti
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    what to do with that lot?
    boruc pickford
    walker coleman brunt holebas amat
    sanchez lallana alli stanislas coquelin
    kun ibra giroud

    need your help guys putting in consideration gameweek 26 and 28

    1. suddenorgan
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      can you afford Grioud -> Lukaku?

      1. Totti
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        no shortage 0.6 only have 0.3

  10. Graceless Goof
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Could somebody explain to me why Heaton is constantly in the bonus points once he gets a save or a clean sheet? I chose Foster over him on my Wildcard in the first half of the season, and it's been biting me in the ass ever since.

    Are Burnley really so bad that Heaton is head and shoulder above as soon as he does anything? Their players don't seem to be racking up the BPS at all during matches, granted I do not watch them very much.

    1. Going Home
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Can only assume that his pass completion stats etc. are excellent and that nobody else in the Burnley side does anything to achieve BAPS. They don't score many, their clean sheets usually come from a number of saves...

      (from a fellow non-owner)

    2. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Mark was talking about this on The Scoutcast - the defenders tend to clear the ball rather than make passes so they're not getting high on the BPS and because they score so few goals Heaton is always up there when they get a clean sheet.

      He's an amazing FPL asset

    3. suddenorgan
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      It's because their defenders don't complete many passes and therefore end up a low BPS score. Just a quirk of how Burnley play.

  11. Ed
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Hopefully big Andy does the business tonight.

    Will still never quite know how he ended up as my TC last season though

    1. suddenorgan
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      it was DGW fever

  12. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    If I don't get Costa or Ibra (before than blanks) I can field an extra player (9) in GW28, but it would effect who i'd play and who i'd captain in GW26 and GW27, which option would you prefer ?

    A

    GW26 Costa (C) v SWAN
    GW27 Coata (C) v whu
    GW28 blank (play with 8 men)

    B

    GW26 Brunt v BOU and Lukuku (upgraded to (C)) v SUN
    GW27 Ibra (C) v BOU
    GW28 Brunt v eve (play with 9 men)

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Costa for Ibra (before than blanks)

  13. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Reckon we've pretty much seen the end of Giroud as an FPL option for this season?

    Ozil, Iwobi, Welbeck, Wally, Cazorla (to return), Ox and of Sanchez will stop him from starting right?

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Yup - has to go this week for me

    2. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Well, stopped as an option for now. Wouldn't take much to make him worth wasting my time with all over again though.

    3. slamdunk
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah think he will be back on the bench after last night

    4. suddenorgan
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Definitely done for a little while, though Arsenal will always pick up injuries, so could become an option again later on

    5. A.T
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I suspect you're right.

    6. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      100%. Most FFSers will have Kaku in their lineup as long as he gets through tonight

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Most casuals all over Lukaku too

  14. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Alli's stats for the last 4 GWs aren't great...

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      30 points though...

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah but I've only just brought him in so don't get them 🙂

    2. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Making me feel much better about my Hazard ➡ Alli move that I did yesterday afternoon. Grrr!

      1. @chapellefpl OR 577TH
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Costas stats arent 'great' either. Alli will continue to score well aslong as hes plays so far forward.

        1. andy85wsm
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Costa's are pretty nice

    3. @chapellefpl OR 577TH
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      They never have been 'great' his conversion rate wqs abnormally high but he gets into the position with marauding well timed runs. If you watcg him play you will know.

    4. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Will score a goal or Two in next 2 though

    5. Concrete
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Either Eriksen or Alli are making way for Siggy for me in the next couple/few GWs

      1. Pasqualinho
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        That's not going to be an easy choice of who to drop.

  15. Wally banter
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Need to shift out allen and giroud

    other mid and fwd are
    eriks,alli,stani,phillips,lukaku,ibra.

    itb 3.8

    so a) costa,snoddy
    b)llorente,antonio
    c)siggy,carroll.

    which seems good?

    1. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      C would be my choice if Carroll could stay injury free as both are playing week 28.

  16. boc610
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    had to laugh at jonathan pearce saying "this is the worst arsenal performance at this ground in many many a...month"

  17. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Hoping for a big green arrow tonight.. Ibra (c), Lukaku, Pogba, Baines, Jones

    1. LC1
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Nice!! What are you on currently from last nights games?

      1. GoonerByron
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        21.. Mostly from Heaton!

    2. Toure The Route
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Nice, def looking good for a big green arrow .
      ESP with your captain still in there along with Pogba.

  18. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Might have to continue without a Chelsea def for a little while longer.....5 x GWs in fact.

    Not had one all season, not fun.

    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      This is the problem with the game imo. From late Jan onwards all your transfers are pretty much dictated to you.

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yup, unless you're willing to take hits of course.

        But yeah from now til the end is all about BGWs & DGWs....

  19. Lone Wolf
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Who will win?

    A) Jaku, Holgate, Jones, Pogba, Davies, Ibra
    B) DDG, Coleman, Lukaku, Ibra (TC) +4pts

    1. LC1
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      B comfortably.

  20. boc610
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    so many busted flushes...stanislas, daniels, giroud, rose, bellerin, phillips

  21. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone else relying on a Lukaku blank and no United cleansheet?

    I don't fancy my chances...

    1. LC1
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'm relying on the complete opposite 😉

    2. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      That plus Baines having a shocker (a missed penalty would be just delicious).

    3. Moves like Dejagah
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Lukaku is my only hope and main rival has Ibra (c) and De Gea. Not looking forward to this evening lol

  22. Moves like Dejagah
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Do we think Giroud is now destined for a bench role for the next few games?

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Certainly hope so, he's not Arsenal's sharpest tip.

    2. boc610
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      its hard to tell, will Wenger put this down to a 'one off' ? anyone could have been hooked after that first half (I own him and am swapping for Lukaku)

      1. Moves like Dejagah
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I might have to hold unless I take a hit. But unsure who for as already own Lukaku.

  23. Gooner Kebab
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone getting a LIV mid? Perhaps Mane?

    Looking to replace Hazard.

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Na.

      1. Gooner Kebab
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Too soon i guess

  24. The Rock
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Spent the last hour planning how to manage the next 5 weeks and still no idea what I will do!

    Grant, Pickford
    Alonso, Baines, Brunt, Cedric, Ake
    Sanchez, Eriksen, Alli, Philips, Stanislas
    Kane, Ibra, Anichebe

    1.7 in the bank and 1 FT. Any help is welcome lads.

    Thinking:
    GW 24 - Ake to Coleman
    GW 25 - Cedric to Byram
    GW 26 - Anichebe to J.Ayew?
    GW 27 - Eriksen to Siggy

    Although also tempted to drop Sanchez in order to afford Lukaku and others.

    1. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Losing Sanchez before the Hull game would be brave. But then again, lots kept Hazard for Hull.

      1. The Rock
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yep, I'd love to keep him really but at the end of the day over the next 5 GWs he's got 2 blanks, a trip to Chelsea, a trip to Liverpool and Hull at home which is a great fixture.

        I'd be fairly confident that Lukaku + the remainder of the money would score lots more over the next 5 GW's.

  25. nkhoughton
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Best captaincy option and why

    A alli
    B Eriksen
    C firmino

    1. BrockLanders
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Firmino is due a big haul

  26. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Lukaku (c) for GW24 - anyone else?

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      This guy

    2. boc610
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      me, Bournemouth leaking goals for fun

    3. Moves like Dejagah
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'm on board Andy. I figure my main rival will captain Kane (home to Boro).

    4. The Rock
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'd be really tempted if i get him in!

      Him or Ibra.

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Indeed - Leicester pretty rubbish.

        It's Ibra, Lukaku or Alli for me.

    5. Bunk Moreland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Has to be Aguero.

  27. ☻ Jon Snow ☻
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Which teams have blanks in GW28?

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      No-one yet. Potentially

      Arsenal & Leicester
      Southampton & Man United
      Liverpool & Burnley
      Chelsea & Watford
      Man City & Stoke
      Crystal Palace & Tottenham
      Middlesbrough & Sunderland

  28. ROOTY7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    How is everyone looking going into tonight? Points + players left?

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      19+4

    2. LC1
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      16 pts with Ibra(c), Jones, Holgate & Kaku.. not feeling too optimistic.

    3. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      27 with 4 left. Not expecting much.

    4. Laurel and Vardy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      43 + Ibra & Williams to play

      1. ROOTY7
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Nice.

    5. BrockLanders
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      21 with Aguero, Ibra, Antonio & Funes Mori

    6. makaveli123
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      25 + Ibra, Baines, Lukaku.

    7. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Not Baines & Zlatan left 😮

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        *Only

    8. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      31 + Lukaku and Coleman to play.

    9. Moves like Dejagah
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      23 with only Lukaku to play.

    10. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      71 with Ibra, Lukaku, Coleman, Baines, Aguero and Payet to play.

      1. Grumpybrat
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Payet will get you the most points out of the lot I reckon

    11. Grumpybrat
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      15 with Ibra + Mirallas + Williams to play. Had captained Costa 🙁

  29. BrockLanders
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Brought in Zaha for Stanislas last night.

    Foster/Pickford
    Alonso, Brunt, Cedric, Funes Mori, Holebas
    Sanchez, Alli, Antonio, Zaha, Capoue
    Aguero, Ibra, Defoe

    GTG?

  30. makaveli123
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Still bothered by that penalty miss from Costa. Small margins in my ML this year, so every single point seems so crucial.

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Moments like that are quite annoying from an FPL point of view.

      We thought Hazard was on them. Then Costa steps up so we assume he is but now he's missed who will it be?!

      1. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Probably still Hazard - he'd been subbed before the penalty was given.

      2. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Costa only took it because Hazard was subbed, no?

      3. Pasqualinho
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Why wouldn't it be Hazard?

      4. BrockLanders
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Hazard was subbed prior to the penalty

      5. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Hazard got subbed 5 minutes before. He would have taken it.

      6. makaveli123
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Wasn't Hazard subbed off before the penalty?

      7. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Oops!

      8. Phil Dagger ⭐
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Hazard was subbed before Pen 😛

    2. Grumpybrat
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Was the captain of my team :/