2005
Dugout Discussion September 14

Surprise benching for De Bruyne as Sterling and Aguero start

2,005 Comments
Share

Amid fears of Pep Guardiola rotating members of his front-three for the Gameweek 5 trip to Norwich, he has gone to new levels of pulling the rug from under our feet.

While Sergio Aguero (£12.1m) and Raheem Sterling (£12.3m) both start for Saturday evening’s trip to Carrow Road, it was the presumed nailed-on Kevin de Bruyne (£9.8m) who has fallen foul of ‘Pep Roulette’.

After starting every Premier League match so far this season, the Belgian has dropped to the Manchester City bench, while Guardiola has chosen to deploy a central midfield trio of David Silva (£7.5m), Rodrigo (£5.5m) and Ilkay Gündogan (£5.3m).

While Sterling and Aguero both start this one, their owners may just have one eye on Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) among the substitutes with the Champions League group stages starting midweek.

With options relatively limited in defence, there were no surprises in the back-four named for this encounter.

Ederson (£6.1m) is supported at the back by Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.6m), Nicolas Otamendi (£5.4m), John Stones (£5.4m) and Kyle Walker (£6.0m).

Just as predicted by manager Daniel Farke in his Friday press conference, Norwich do indeed look very short of options in their own defence.

Ben Godfrey (£4.5m) has come through his groin injury picked up on international duty to feature at centre-back alongside defensive midfielder Ibrahim Amadou (£4.5m).

Their inclusion in the side does mean that at the very least, their fit full-backs are not called into central defensive action.

Jamal Lewis (£4.5m) features on the left with Sam Byram (£4.4m) getting his first start for the Canaries on the right.

Meanwhile, both Teemu Pukki (£7.0m) and Todd Cantwell (£4.8m) retain their places in the first team.

Norwich City XI: Krul; Lewis, Godfrey, Amadou, Byram; McLean, Tettey; Cantwell, Stiepermann, Buendía; Pukki.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Zinchenko, Otamendi, Stones, Walker; D Silva, Gundogan, Rodrigo; Sterling, Aguero, B Silva.

2,005 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If this was Salah you would be lynching him now but Sterling is such a darling on here. Is it because he's english?

    Open Controls
    1. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Christ

      Open Controls
    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rubbish

      Open Controls
    3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Are you kidding? He's been getting trashed on here since the tenth minute

      Open Controls
    4. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Terrible Sterling twice he has blanked, thinking of putting the armband for Pukki

      Open Controls
    5. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tempted to lose both on a WC loool. Itchy af

      Open Controls
      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        lol

        Open Controls
    6. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No?

      I’m steaming at Sterling rn. Ridiculous, no returns from BHA nor. Captained over Salah for both

      Open Controls
      1. All For One
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lol I'm p##ed!!!

        Open Controls
    7. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lol

      Open Controls
    8. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What absolute nonsense

      Open Controls
    9. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can't all be as good as big Eidur

      Open Controls
      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You calling me FAT?

        Open Controls
    10. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bore off

      Open Controls
  2. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Norwich pub owners happy.

    Open Controls
    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      An extra months earnings in one night

      Open Controls
      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yup.

        Open Controls
  3. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Got to love the premier league. No other league in the world has anything like this...

    Open Controls
    1. MITHRRANDIRR
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      So you've watched all the matches from all the other leagues?

      Open Controls
  4. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling 39 points

    20 points in the first game.
    19 in 4 games.

    I C him 4 times, guess which one I missed!

    Love you fpl!

    Open Controls
    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ouch

      Open Controls
    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      May be time to shift him on.

      Open Controls
    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I feel you

      Open Controls
    4. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yep essentially wildcarded to fit him in alongside Salah after his hatrick and then last two games as captain 2 fails against Brighton and Norwich

      Open Controls
  5. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Think KDB might be the best option for my captain next week...

    Open Controls
    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Shhhhh

      Open Controls
    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pep got his lesson

      Open Controls
      1. Miniboss
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not benching KdB again.

        Open Controls
  6. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pukkiii wohoo!

    Open Controls
  7. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Tempted to WC even though have 2 FT

    Open Controls
    1. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Crack on

      Open Controls
    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same here.
      But next week the template will change again.

      City will smash watford and pools attackers will Blank vs chelsea, same for abraham.

      Use 2 ft and wc later

      Open Controls
  8. ChelseaGuy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Love the passion. You can see how much this meant to them. Team spirit is unmatchable.

    Open Controls
  9. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Norwich so good that I actually forgot about FPL and wanted my City players to blank.

    Open Controls
    1. Pedersen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I C Salah, so just wanted Sterling to blank for Rank 😀 (Sterling+KDB owner)

      Open Controls
    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, Raz capper here, but I was cheering them on at the end.

      Open Controls
    3. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Easy there fella

      Open Controls
  10. Wally711
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Nobody said winning 3 straight titles was gonna be easy. Otemendi had an absolutely horrible game

    Open Controls
  11. Mike2795647
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Now that that’s all done, thinking of wildcarding. Thoughts on below and any suggestions to get Salah in over Mane

    Pope / Button
    Digne / VVD / Lundstrum / Dunk / Soyuncu
    Mount / KdB / Sterling / Mané / Cantwell
    Barnes / Pukki / Abraham

    Current team is

    Pope / Button
    Digne / Robertson / Dunk / VVD / Zouma
    James / KdB / Salah / Lanzini / Hayden
    Aguero / Barnes / Greenwood

    Open Controls
    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      not now michael

      Open Controls
    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn't bother with Barnes if wildcarding.

      Open Controls
  12. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    wow norvish well played !

    Open Controls
  13. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pep to do the impossible and lose even more hair after that

    Open Controls
    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      His post match interviewer will need balls of steel - I’d imagine Pep will be in full on belligerent stroppy teenager mode

      Open Controls
  14. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pukki 2 BAPS confirmed?

    Open Controls
    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      he's on 1

      Open Controls
      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Damn

        Open Controls
      2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Winning goal should edge it

        Open Controls
    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Should be

      Open Controls
  15. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Lads, apologise for insisting, but I do need to sort this out before price rises. Could you help me out?

    Here's the team:
    Heaton
    TAA, VVD, Maguire, Coleman, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Martial, Mount, Dendo
    Vardy, Pukki, Greenwood

    Should I

    A) Martial, Greenwood out / Cantwell, Abraham in for a hit

    B) Wildcard to:
    Pope
    TAA, Digne, Soyuncu / Mings, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, Lanzini / Cantwell
    Vardy, Abraham, Pukki

    Open Controls
    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A looks good

      Open Controls
      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, mate! Always helpful. Appreciate it a lot.

        Open Controls
    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, Zlatan!

        Open Controls
    3. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A for now, you can WC later. Tammy and Cantwell is not fit atm.

      Open Controls
      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sound advise. Thanks!

        Open Controls
    4. Macam Dave
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Agree didn't see much diff with b so think a is ok

      I'm in same boat with double pool defense and would like rid via WC but presently talking myself out of it as with two transfers and a -4 I can sort most out save wc

      Open Controls
      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Same boat indeed! Might go A myself, many of the lads in here seem to agree so that's a good sign

        Open Controls
    5. SB007
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, mate!

        Open Controls
    6. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for taking the time, I appreciate it!

        Open Controls
  16. AVFCChris1984
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I would like to apologise to everyone for putting KDB in my team this week, I'm sorry.

    Roll on next week

    Open Controls
  17. F4L
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Need Mendy back, get the white chalk off Sterling's boots Pep.

    Open Controls
  18. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So Laporte injured could be a big problem for City?

    Open Controls
    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      it always was going to be

      Open Controls
    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could be decisive in race for title. But long season ahead

      Open Controls
  19. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Guess I jinxed this one..
    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2019/09/14/the-complete-guide-to-scouts-tips-and-advice-for-fpl-gameweek-5/?hc_page=1&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_20832029

    Open Controls
  20. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hopefully that silences pundits who think it's stupid Norwich play this way in the Premier League.

    Canaries are taking flight!

    Open Controls
    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Love to see it. Pukki nailed in my team for now

      Open Controls
    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hopefully today also silences those who think Abraham is championship level

      Open Controls
  21. R.C
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Leaving FPL aside, what a performance by Norwich

    P.S. My team scored 11 from 7, dropped from 47k to 900k OR and my bench scored more than my starting 7 i.e 17! RIP.

    Open Controls
    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      you've just genuinely made me feel better about my decision making this week, thanks and sorry for your loss - Farke is the man

      Open Controls
  22. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling man... 20pt first game and more or less bugger all since then, especially as a clear captain choice last two weeks.

    Huge bummer that

    Open Controls
    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Time to get rid

      Open Controls
      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Before Watford at home? Wait a week

        Open Controls
  23. nxh84
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is baps a joke? Firmino have 2 assists, his baps is lower than Salah who scores only 1 goal. Pukki scores 1 and assisted 1, but lost out in baps to Rodrigo.

    Open Controls
    1. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This again

      Open Controls
    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just try and read them rules

      Open Controls
  24. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I had an awful week but all of the changes I considered doing would've done even worse, I need to find out who cursed me.

    Open Controls
    1. nxh84
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Must be Mourinho.

      Open Controls
    2. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe it's the name and picture you've chosen

      Open Controls
  25. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Laporte this important to City?

    Open Controls
    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

      Open Controls
    2. MITHRRANDIRR
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Their attitude was awful today starting from the manager resting their best creative player (didn't bring him on until 60th min). They thought they could turn up and walk away with 3 points.

      Open Controls
  26. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who's thinking about pulling their WC out of their back pocket after this week? Or am I being too kneejerky?

    Open Controls
    1. SB007
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      WC played already!!

      Open Controls
    2. KGJ United
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I am.
      Don't have Mount, Tammy, KDB..

      I have double liv def, Rob+Taa, have Kiko F, Montoya, Martial.

      Got Barnes last week.

      Not sure what to do tbh

      Open Controls
  27. Ode
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Awb to Otamendi -4 hurts. I usually don’t take hits for defenders but I had no one on the bench

    Atleast I didn’t bench Pukki

    Open Controls
  28. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Cantwell is the gift that keeps on giving

    Himself & Lundstram great little stocking fillers if you got in on the ground floor

    Probably still great value at today’s prices tbf

    Open Controls
    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Indeed. Cantwell would be great value even at 5.5

      Open Controls
      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah Cantwell will be minimum a 6.5 next year if he continues in this vein

        Open Controls
    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      They really are

      Open Controls
      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Just need a 4.5 striker to emerge now 😉

        Open Controls
  29. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is thi worth doing VVD + Greenwood > Lund + Tammy tonight before price rises?

    Already have TAA and Mount.

    Open Controls
    1. Macam Dave
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes for me

      Open Controls
  30. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Seriously thinking of wildcarding

    Pope
    Robbo Otamendi Coleman Montoya Lundstram
    Salah Sterling KDB
    Rashford Haller

    - Need a change in formation as well as Son/Abraham/Mane etc
    - Otamendi should lose his place
    - Not very keen with the fixtures this week
    - Rashford Montoya need to go maybe
    - Cantwell could be injured

    Thoughts ??

    Open Controls
    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Apologies for top post

      Open Controls
    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cantwell said he's fine.

      Open Controls

You need to be logged in to post a comment.