Dugout Discussion

Rico benched as Ramsdale misses out through injury

The penultimate match of Gameweek 22 sees two sides battling to avoid relegation meet at the Vitality Stadium.

Watford and Bournemouth are in contrasting shape.

The Cherries were bottom of the form table heading into this clash, based on results over the previous ten Gameweeks.

Since Nigel Pearson took charge at Vicarage Road, however, Watford have lost just once – and that defeat came at runaway leaders Liverpool.

Unsurprisingly, the Hornets boss has kept changes to a minimum and both of his alterations are enforced: the suspended Christian Kabasele (£4.3m) and the injured Kiko Femenia (£4.2m) are replaced by Adrian Mariappa (£4.2m) and Adam Masina (£4.3m).

The team news from the home dressing room will affect more Fantasy managers.

Diego Rico (£4.2m), the only player in either squad who can boast a double-digit ownership in Fantasy Premier League at present, is only among the substitutes, with the fit-again Nathan Ake (£4.8m) taking his place at left-back.

Adam Smith (£4.3m) also makes a sooner-than-expected return from injury and replaces Chris Mepham (£4.3m), who was ruled out for 12 weeks on Friday.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (£4.7m), himself owned by over 6% of FPL bosses, misses out with a minor injury and is replaced by Mark Travers (£4.2m) between the posts.

Callum Wilson (£7.4m), without an FPL attacking return since Gameweek 7 but on the scoresheet last weekend in the FA Cup, is joined up front by Dominic Solanke (£5.2m).

Ben Foster (£4.9m) has three clean sheets in his last six league matches (albeit all at home) and was the most-bought player from either side in the run-up to Gameweek 22.

Just over 70,000 prescient FPL managers shipped out Rico, who had accumulated only 18 points over the previous ten Gameweeks.

Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m), who has four attacking returns in as many Gameweeks, is Watford’s most-owned outfield player within the top 10k, sitting in 2.55% of these elite squads.


Bournemouth XI: Travers, Francis, S. Cook, Ake, A. Smith, H. Wilson, Gosling, Lerma, Fraser, C. Wilson, Solanke.

Watford XI: Foster, Mariappa, Dawson, Cathcart, Masina, Chalobah, Capoue, Sarr, Doucouré, Deulofeu, Deeney.

1,286 Comments Post a Comment
  1. GoonerRed
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What are the chances of Otamendi starting? I know Guardiola has been playing Garcia recently so Im not sure.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pebbles there too.

      You know soon, no point in thinking about it.

      1. GoonerRed
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        True.

  2. SUPER MOKH
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on these moves guys?

    Tammy Rico > Greenwood TAA for free

    Hendo McGovern
    Lund Kelly Sidibe Rico Williams
    Salah Mane KDB Grealish Traore
    Vardy Jimi Tammy

    Tammy could haunt me but he's been wasteful vs Burnley and after New his fixtures aren't so nice. With those moves I'll swift to 3-5-2

    1. SUPER MOKH
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      *switch

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yay

  3. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    All about the Foster

  4. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Mooy could be a good enabler?

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Trossard is the man.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      moybe

  5. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I see a lot of people mentioning Williams, which is fine as long as you know what you're actually getting.

    If Shaw is fit then Williams won't just be a rotation risk, he will be regularly rotated.

    If you're happy with a cheap fifth defender who often won't play then he's your guy. Otherwise, look elsewhere, unless Shaw is ever out for an extended spell.

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Shaw has been bobbins, many united fans including myself have wanted Williams in the team for quite some time.

      Shame I benched him.

      1. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He has indeed been bobbins. Nonetheless, he will still be played ahead of Williams a lot of the time.

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Need a decent playing 4th defender as cover, so you can start Williams in the easier games, and if he doesn't play rely on your 3rd or 4th defender to come in.

    3. Skalla
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He would be a even better 5th option if Shaw could last a full game and not have Williams subbed on for a few min..

  6. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How would people feel about the premier league allowing 12 players on the bench like they do in serie a? It would let teams throw a few youngsters on the bench and give them minutes if the game is already wrapped up.

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      What would the downside be in theory?

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Not much as far as I can see. Some grounds might need to expand their bench area.

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        City actually having 12 good bench players

      3. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Downside is a team like Man city stacking their team with just pure world class players on the bench, like they do now tbh but would be even worse as they could cover for every eventuality that could occur in game

      4. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        who cares 😀

        1. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          A valuable contribution. Thank you.

          1. Woy_is_back
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I don´t think anyone cares tbh

            1. Supersonic Marv'
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Do you speak for everybody do you? A**ehole.

      5. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        The only thing I want the EPL to borrow from other European leagues is releasing the 18-man squad list a day before the game. That way we can know if someone isn't in the squad beforehand.

      6. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        It would impact my life too much, it’s a no from me.

    2. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      RIP Rico triple cappers..

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Those exist?

      2. Rash
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Rashford TVC 😉

      3. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        VC means they’ll actually get points. They’re in heaven!

      4. Skalla
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Very unlucky for the owners and TC's and could get worse if he comes of the bench to concede two late goals and pick up a yellow...

    3. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Any hints at kdb being rested?

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

        Just wait, you can't change anything about it.

      2. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Rested in the FA-Cup game so don´t think it´s happening

      3. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        We'll knw in an hour. Cannot do anything about it anyway.

      4. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        chill

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sarr is probably the player for me who looks absolute worst on the eye test but somehow gets points. Hes not a good player at all, terrible technique and ball control.

      1. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Who cares about technique if he scores goals?

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Hes so bad its a miracle he even hits the goal occasionally

          1. El-Kloppico
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Just lucky with his goal against ManU. DdG had him in FPL

      2. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Same to me. Him and Pepe failed eye test for me to even consider buying.

      3. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ruined a good chance with a poor first touch there.

        But he turned down a move to Barca in 2017 so he can't that bad technically.

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Just mentally if he turned that down.

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            He wouldn't have got games. Did the right thing going to Rennes imo.

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              He know plays for Watford...

              His development at Barca could have been better, might have been worth the risk.

        2. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Barca's scout has been trash for some years now. Their signing has been out of sort for some time now. So dont impress me if they are linked to bloke like that.

      4. Skalla
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Hopefully you just jinxed him into a hattrick, thanks!

    5. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Any 4.2 playing defenders? Already have Lowton

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Williams

      2. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Kiko when fit

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Hanley

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Might as well have a non playing 4.0 with the amount NOR let in lol

      3. Rash
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Masuaku

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

        Zabaleta at West Ham while Fredericks is injured, 4.2m has a DGW

        Hanley is still plugging away at Norwich for 4.0m

    6. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lolanke 😆

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Still hasn't scored for Bournemouth. Bless him.

    7. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore immediately goes on a run of blanks after the FFS bandwagon gained a head of speed.

      Too expensive to be bench fodder, but can he really hold down a fourth mid spot in our teams ?

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Moutinho is the guy to buy. Cant understand the hype around Traore

        1. Skalla
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Dendoncker is the new bandwagon!

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Traore isn't the guy to buy, moutinho is even less the guy to buy

      2. Sz21
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ramsdale.
        TAA, Soyuncu, Holgate.
        Grealish, KDB, Mane, Salah.
        Maupay, Ings, Vardy.
        Stek, Lundstram, Dendoncker, Williams.
        1ft, 1.1m ITB.

        Ramsdale -> Ryan maybe.
        Anything else standing out?

        1. Reiger
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Soy’s given a return only once in last 7 or so... Might be time to start considering moving on from him

          1. Sz21
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yep that's a good call.

      3. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        No Rico = Bou CS confirmed.

      4. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Everyone is getting rid of Rashford and I’m here bending over backwards trying to figure out a way to get him in 😆

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          who is selling Rashford ?

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Plenty (apparently)

        2. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Just get him after the double. Use the funds for Pool players.

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I really want him and Martial double up for Burnley at home tho.

            1. La Roja
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Well then your post becomes a bit pointless really

              1. OldBenKenobi
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                ?

        3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Before Liverpool?

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            After

          2. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yep we already took 2 points off of them now it’s time to take the 3!!

            1. OldBenKenobi
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              😆

        4. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I had a downgrade of him to Ings pencilled in to afford Manè but after yesterday decided I can’t bring myself to sell. Going double def instead of attack.

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I’m on double LIV def and already have Ings. Def want him for Burnley game. Need to figure it out....

        5. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I got rid, but it’s purely a money making move to afford Salah for DGW. It might end up biting some of us in the bum, but at least he’s at Anfield next GW (good chance of a blank). Then once the double is done & dusted I plan to have 2FT’s and get him back in

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I want him in straight after Liverpool. Burnley are the current wiping boys and they play them at home.

        6. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I have him and Martial. I’d rather to keep both but I may have to sell Martial at least to fund Ings this GW and Mane/Robbo for DGW

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I’ve martial also but want both for Burnley. Money is tight so could be priced out by next GW. Tough decisions. I’m already set on 3 pool too so that’s not an issue. Need to figure something out

      5. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Did Bruno signed? I am excited to get him in. Please fpl make him 7.5m!!!

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          *sign

        2. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Think so, him & Haaland.

          The good times are back.

          1. Supersonic Marv'
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Haaland?

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              The striker United wanted. Seen people saying it was a done deal.

              1. Supersonic Marv'
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                He has signed for Dortmund dude.

                1. The Ejiptian King
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  He knows.

                2. Rainer
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  🙂

                  1. Supersonic Marv'
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    You buggers. I fall for it every time.

                3. FPL Blow-In
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  I don’t think you get it

                  1. Supersonic Marv'
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    Yes I know. No need to twist the knife mate.

                    1. FPL Blow-In
                      • 11 Years
                      4 years, 2 months ago

                      😆 tad dramatic

                      1. Supersonic Marv'
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 2 months ago

                        I'm angry at myself, not you.

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

            lol

        3. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          hopefully not another Pepe

          1. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Nah Bruno will be a quality 8 and 10.

      6. Chasing Waves
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Hilson please reward me with some returns

      7. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Foster not getting any saves in that situation with Solanke. If that was Guaita he would be reacting late to the situation, fumbling and somehow ending up with 3 saves out of nothing. I think I have picked the wrong goalie

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          the guy counting saves at OPTA clearly owns Guaita

      8. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Dendoncker first sub, praying for a KDB no show!

        1. Skalla
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          My 3rd sub but TAA and Baldock rdy to come on so won't mind a no show either!

        2. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I never quite understand these comments, KDB could get a huge score yet you want him to benched ?

          1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            ML Rival has him (C) & literally owned by everyone

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              I find it hard to believe many would start him, never mind captain him, and at less than 10% ownership he can't literally be owned by everyone.

              You must be in a very strange ML indeed if Dendoncker is a worry:)

              1. Wild Rover
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                He’s talking about KDB

                1. Wild Rover
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  *who obviously isn’t owned by everyone

                2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  Yeah talking about KDB

                  1. Hotdogs for Tea
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 2 months ago

                    ok, benefits you then for a no show blank by KDB

                3. Hotdogs for Tea
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  ah ....

          2. Runaway
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Dendoncker's 10 points is way more valuable than KDB's 20, or even 50! (If he is not your captain obviously)

      9. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Is Tanganga less of a risk at 4m than Williams? Obviously not much data around him to work off of but Vertonghen and him are both probably better than Aurier

        1. Skalla
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Not really, no idea yet if he is above Vertonghen now.

        2. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          a bit too early to tell maybe ?

      10. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Smith yellow

      11. umerlfc
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ramsadle to who?

        1. umerlfc
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Ramsdale*

        2. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          McCarthy

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

          McCarthy or Ryan

        4. John Nerdelbaum
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Wait for news

      12. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Anyone considering Allison as a third pool spot ? Or is his points ceiling too low ? Thanks

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Waste of money and Pool spot

        2. Skalla
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Nah too low, better of with Gomez or VVD if you lack the funds.

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            agree here

        3. GoonerRed
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I dont think theres any point really. Theres way more value in other cheaper goalkeepers.

        4. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks all

      13. beetlejuice
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Please score min 4 Watford

      14. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Would you WC this:

        Fab* Button
        Trent Soy Lund Aurier* Rico*
        Mane Kdb Grealish Cantwell* Martial
        Vardy Ings Auba*

        To this:

        Martin Guaita
        Dunk Trent Soy Lund Lascelles
        Salah Mane KdB Sarr Grealish
        Vardy Ings Ayew

        1. Rash
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          No

      15. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        How Liverpool got actual money for Dom Solanke is incredible.

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          There should've been an investigation into the Solanke and Ibe transfers.

          1. Differential C (Mark)
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Solanke cost more than Danny Ings xD

          2. Celt Abroad
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yes - Bournemouth are like a slush fund to fund Liverpool’s transfers market.

            I’ve seen some people do that in football manager - take over a second team to buy their bad players for overinflated sums.

        2. Rash
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          The amount they paid for him and ibe is baffling. Gambling on young english players having a big resale value.

      16. Al-Chemy
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Trying to do some initial planning for GW24 so would appreciate any opinions people have:

        Ryan Button
        TAA Sidibe Lunds Soy Kelly
        Salah Alli KDB Martial Hayden
        Tammy Vardy Ings

        A) Sidibe and Alli -> Robbo and Grealish
        B) Alli and Tammy -> Grealish and Firmino
        C) Martial, Alli and Tammy -> Mane, Cantwell/Fleck and DCL (-4)

        Currently leaning towards A or B but Firmino has screwed me in the past so unsure on him!

      17. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Eurgh, not sure I like my GW resting on a Watford player doing something.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          How are they doing? Cup opponent has Sarr.

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Not sure, I am watching but realised I've zoned out for entirety of game so far.

      18. Champions united
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ramsdale >??

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          McCarthy flavour of the week

      19. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Can do Jimenez Martial to Ings Son (exact cash) if I forego getting my third Liverpool player for the DGW (Gomez and cash in for Kelly/Rico)...