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Dugout Discussion – Bournemouth vs Man United

Double Gameweek 34 rolls on with a clash on the south coast as Bournemouth host Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium.

It’s fair to say that tonight’s team news has sent shockwaves through the Fantasy Football community, with Jose Mourinho confirming growing fears that he would rotate some big names.

Alexis Sanchez was perhaps always at risk. Snapped up by 78,000 managers ahead of Gameweek 34, Mourinho looked to have options in his position.

But the omission of Romelu Lukaku was not widely predicted and is hard to swallow.

The Belgian drops to the United bench for the first time having been signed by 234,000 and trusted by over 934,000 managers with the Gameweek armband.

After blanking against in Sunday’s shock defeat to West Brom, Lukaku is already the second most sold player as we edge towards the reduced slate of Gameweek 35. Short of a stunning cameo tonight, those sales will surely accelerate further.

Remarkably, Chris Smalling, United’s third most signed player ahead of their double-header, survives the cull and starts for a twelfth successive league match. He is the only member of Sunday’s back four on show tonight as Phil Jones, Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw all earn starts.

Fantasy interest in Bournemouth remains limited, despite their two fixtures. Josh King was the most signed player for their double-header, claiming a paltry 15,000 new owners. He does at least start for the Cherries.

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

1,493 Comments Post a Comment
  1. the snazzy viking
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    done with FPL this season

    put so much time into it and get nothing out of it

    see you next season, unless a miracle happens or I find some sort of resilience

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      hah

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

      What's changing next season?

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        nice one 🙂

      2. tutankamun
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Luck?

    3. Fantastisk
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lol

    4. Capitano
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Relax...it's only a bit of fun.

    5. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I feel your pain - had a torrid 2018. But never quit. Never ever quit.

  2. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    JLingz IS baps

  3. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bailly instead of Smalling, Alli instead of Eriksen...

    1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Same boat, Sir.

  4. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Remember when Bailly was the most nailed United defender?

    It helps if you watch these players play. 😀

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      He was. I had him at the beginning of the season and he got me loads of points.

  5. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Live rank has doubled on FFix.

    I love DGWs!

  6. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Smalling was a terrible pick, despite the points, so don't rage if you don't have him. No-one who picked him knew he would play both games.

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lol see my post below. Crazy town.

    2. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I didn’t pick him but it was a risk to pick him, and those who took the risk were rewarded. Simple really.

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      They probably guessed it right based on rest needed on their defensive starters plus upcoming FA cup game.

      1. faux_C
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        No this is the trouble - you're trying to apply reasoning to it, when that's literally not possible. We don't have enough information to make decisions on this kind of thing reliably, and confirmation bias means we forget all the times people are wrong, which way outnumber the times they're right.

    4. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I transferred him in for Jones because i thought he’d play 2x. Part guess/part research. All good.

    5. Capitano
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Always a good pick..tough luck my friend.

  7. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    JLing do a dance yet or do we need a goal?

  8. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Wut

    "Chris Smalling has scored in three consecutive Premier League away appearances, after scoring just once in his previous 101 games."

    BBC.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      My G.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Timing is key in FPL!

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        and how! 😉

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

    Filthy Smalling points...owners should return them now. They only got him cause they couldn’t afford Jones.

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'll send FPL towers a request. But I had £3m itb after the WC so I'll need a better argument.

    2. Capitano
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Watch Smalling play...better than Alonso...peace.

  10. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Valencia over Smalling really paying off now 🙂

  11. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Tomkins or Bauer for 35?

    Probably equally likely to concede

    Bauer plays further forward but Tomkins had also been threatening (more than PVA)

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Bauer for his OOP potential

    2. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Bauer. Good chance of CS/Attacking returns and Burnley playing 3rd game in a week.

  12. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    I hope Spurs beat United 10 - 0 in the FA cup and Mourinho gets sacked.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I’d say that’s highly unlikely.

      Maybe 7-0 Spurs.

  13. GreenArrows
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Smalling 2 goals in 3 games! Get in!

    Puts me on 75 with DDG and Smalling in this game (C Lukaku 🙁 )

    100 is in sight with 7 players tomorrow!!

  14. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bailly over Smalling is so frustrating 😆

    Not as many own him as I thought though. Could be a season changer though

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Same as Long over Tark and Lowton. It’s luck. Ride the variance.

      1. faux_C
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        This!

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      In the last few weeks it's caused a heck of a points swing. Bleh.

  15. Guru Mediation
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Smalling 🙁 20+ point swing picking bailly in 32 🙁

  16. Richd
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Obviously there’s luck involved. Most people only enjoy it because they have no skill outside of this.

    I’m enjoyijg it and only have lukaku and DDG 🙂

  17. Stevie B
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Is there a good chance that we will inform about the Liverpool team before the deadline?

    When it will probably happen?

    Thank you!

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

      Friday evening or Saturday morning.

  18. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    So... my decision to go Bailly over Smalling on my wildcard a couple weeks back.

    Discuss.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Wise decision. Bailly is nailed.

      1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Agree!

    2. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Smalling not nailed.

  19. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    My ML rival has Lukaku (c) so im really happy. Im not even bitter about the Smalling goal. Wish i had him!

  20. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    FPL is 2% Luck!

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      20% skill 30% power of will, 5% pleasure and 100% reason to remember the name.

    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Just the 2, yeah...?!

    3. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      and 98% dumb luck

  21. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    It's been such a strange few weeks in fpl. Real reminder of how much of the game is luck.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      About 2%?

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Lol

      2. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        😀

      3. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Sauce?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I'm ITK mate.

  22. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Want Valencia over Smalling on FHC. You just got to laugh. I have hundreds and hundreds on the line in money leagues. Just got to take it on the chin...!

  23. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Smalling scores in his 3rd away game running. Next away game against Brighton.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      And they cannot defend from set pieces.

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Never too late to get him then. 😛

    2. Capitano
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Too late.

  24. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Would love a Josh King goal....

    Just saying 😉

  25. Richd
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    10 players tomorrow. Well I doubt Alonso counts. Will be fun

  26. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Mark should buy a lottery ticket tonight.

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

      Makes up for last night.

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      He’s had a good couple of seasons but not that long ago he had a horrendous one.

  27. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Lukaku(c) no show confirmed with Utd being ahead. Could have been a great game to give him some confidence going into the Spurs semi-final. Hope Spurs beat them now. At least Poch is straight with Kane.

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lukaku will come on.

  28. glufs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Wtf Smalling 33 % owned in top 10k. why did so many buy him?

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

      Nailed 🙂

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      COuldn't afford Jones or Bailly

    3. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Because he is starting and was the most cheap united defender

  29. Babit1967
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Was 0.1 short for Smalling so instead brought in Christensen, 🙁

  30. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bailly over Smalling was such a horrible decision 🙁