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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, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

      hah

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

      What's changing next season?

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 days ago

        nice one 🙂

      2. tutankamun
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 days ago

        Luck?

    3. Fantastisk
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      Lol

    4. Capitano
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 days ago

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

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

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

  2. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

    JLingz IS baps

  3. Winners900
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

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

    1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      Same boat, Sir.

  4. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

    Remember when Bailly was the most nailed United defender?

    It helps if you watch these players play. 😀

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

    Live rank has doubled on FFix.

    I love DGWs!

  6. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

      Lol see my post below. Crazy town.

    2. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days 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, 9 days 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, 9 days 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, 8 days ago

      Always a good pick..tough luck my friend.

  7. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

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

  8. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

      My G.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      Timing is key in FPL!

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 days ago

        and how! 😉

  9. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days 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, 8 days ago

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

  10. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

    Valencia over Smalling really paying off now 🙂

  11. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

      Bauer for his OOP potential

    2. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

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

  12. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

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

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      I’d say that’s highly unlikely.

      Maybe 7-0 Spurs.

  13. GreenArrows
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days 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, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

        This!

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

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

  15. Guru Mediation
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

    Smalling 🙁 20+ point swing picking bailly in 32 🙁

  16. Richd
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

      Friday evening or Saturday morning.

  18. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

      Wise decision. Bailly is nailed.

      1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 days ago

        Agree!

    2. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      Smalling not nailed.

  19. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

    FPL is 2% Luck!

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

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

    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      Just the 2, yeah...?!

    3. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      and 98% dumb luck

  21. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

      About 2%?

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 days ago

        Lol

      2. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 days ago

        😀

      3. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 days ago

        Sauce?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 days ago

          I'm ITK mate.

  22. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

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

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      And they cannot defend from set pieces.

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 days ago

        Never too late to get him then. 😛

    2. Capitano
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 days ago

      Too late.

  24. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

    Would love a Josh King goal....

    Just saying 😉

  25. Richd
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

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

  26. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

    Mark should buy a lottery ticket tonight.

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

      Makes up for last night.

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

      Lukaku will come on.

  28. glufs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 days 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, 9 days ago

      Nailed 🙂

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      COuldn't afford Jones or Bailly

    3. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 days ago

      Because he is starting and was the most cheap united defender

  29. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

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

  30. UshFPL
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 days ago

    Bailly over Smalling was such a horrible decision 🙁