Dugout Discussion

Soucek and Wilson feature as West Ham host Newcastle

Tomas Soucek (£5.0m) starts for West Ham United amid concerns over his match fitness for Gameweek 1.

The player reportedly missed international duty with the Czech Republic on account of a quarantine period and missed some training too.

But the first chance David Moyes had to include the budget midfielder, he starts, against a Newcastle team that typically struggles to deal with the aerial threat of a player like Soucek.

They may also face a tough test competing with Michail Antonio (£6.5m) who has retained the centre-forward berth on the back of his exceptional Project Restart form.

That means Sebastien Haller (£6.5m) remains on the bench, where is joined by Ben Johnson (£4.0m), kept out of the team by Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m).

Callum Wilson (£6.5m) comes straight into the Newcastle team following his summer signing from Bournemouth.

He is paired with Andy Carroll (£5.5m) in a two-man strike-force while Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) and Jeff Hendrick (£5.0m) are tasked with providing the width from midfield.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Diop, Fredericks; Soucek, Rice; Fornals, Noble, Bowen; Antonio.

Newcastle United XI: Darlow; Lewis, Lascelles, Fernández, Manquillo; Saint-Maximin, Shelvey, Hayden, Hendrick; Carroll, C Wilson.

Best players by position:

1,329 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Salah in decline me arse

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Two pens tho

    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      😆

    3. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He can be in decline and still be really good. But I don't particularly think he is in decline.

    4. Queens of the South Age
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Being penalty taker has definitely boosted him.

    5. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      His in play goal was just amazing, he shot and virtually turned away like the hero after

  2. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Arise Sir Tomas Soucek

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Aint' done enough to get knighted. 😀

  3. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Will you take out TAA ?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      No

    2. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Don't have him

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Nope

      1. Bazzah
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Nope

    4. Yome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      No

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      No. One game only. And I don't pick him for the clean sheets.

    6. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Thinking for LaPorte but I have Robbo too as cover

  4. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    49 from 6(c)
    Could be worse

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yeh I’m 47 and happy enough. Wish I capped salad tho.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Could be but it's nothing special either.

      I'm on 52 with Mitchell 6 to add, my OR rank prediction on FFFix is 494100

  5. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Popped into ask whether Mo Salah's in decline?

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

      Yes, and out of form.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Just tansfered him out for BF. Overrated

  6. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    And if Arsenal had been awarded 2 penalties, Auba would be on 3 too.

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      We rarely get penalties mate, let alone two in the same match.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Exactly. Apparently the pen master has shifted from old Trafford to anfield...

    3. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      We get a lot of penalties.

      But agains is usually..

    4. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, insightful

  7. Yome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    You knew the risk going without Salah, boom enjoy the rest of the weekend lads

  8. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Hindsight is a wonderful thing, switched Salah out this morning! I’m hoping Son will at least salve the wound!

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      For me it was the opposite. I brought Salah in late last night as one of the last changes to my team. Cruel game.

  9. billysupertramp
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    crazy result

  10. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Willian Hat Trick of Assist , Salah Hat Trick of Goals 🙂

    1. International Richard
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Boom

    2. Hattrick Harry
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      And both in my team 🙂 salah (C)

  11. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Quite sad with the auba Salah thing, but two were pens, second a particularly poor forwards tackle
    Last chance saloon for Aubameyang next weekend

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Last chance saloon in week 2 for a player who scored from open play, away from home!

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Yikes that hurt. No Liverpool defence went ok considering Vvd and Robertson still did ok but removing Salah... Knew the risks as I said a few times now but a hard pill to swallow.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Silly not going with Salah simple

  13. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Chelsea next for pool

    Interesting to see if they can score against what I expect to be an attacking Chelsea side

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      That'll probably be a similar game

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Expect Chelsea to score a few if Pool defend similar to tonight

  14. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Didn't watch it.Few words about Leeds?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Impressive. They will score goals. Ayling, Dallas and Harrison look great FPL wise.

    2. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      All out attack.

      No defence.

      1. Give Me the Mane
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        BS.

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

      Will cause everyone trouble, more than enough quality to get top 10.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Top 10 is a real stretch.

        That means they're better than Leicester, Wolves, Everton and one more team? I don't think they are. Their defense is pretty poor, weak center.

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Captain Cooper has to help.

    4. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Their build up play is surprisingly good. Pool scored all through set pieces (indirect/direct), Leeds all through open play.

    5. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Poor. This lot aren't anything special unless their new signing make a big difference.

  15. Mr Arsenal
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Salah is good at taking penalties.

    Now time to swap him for Bruno who’s even better at it.

    1. Strchld
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Im probably still getting Bruno and Martial in for Salah and Ings. Sadly dont have 0.5ITB.

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Makes no sense selling Mo

      1. Yome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        This, season keeper

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Exactly!!!! 😉

    4. Give Me the Mane
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Carry on

    5. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Sure thing if you want less points.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I'm getting g rid

        So many big hitters. Got to jump on and off

  16. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Too many big hitters. Either set and forget these big hitters or dust ourselves down and look to get the next (C) haul

  17. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Auba captain gw2 or a United player?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Let’s see West Ham.

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Apologies for the TM answer.

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Will go over most peoples heads lol

    2. Yome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Auba C

    3. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Swap for Bruno?

  18. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Spread the Salah cash they said,
    it will make your team more balanced they said....

    1. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Haha. That logic led me to 4 x £5.5m mids. My premium strike force best go crazy now!

    2. Give Me the Mane
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      mAnE difFerEnTiAl

  19. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Salah to Bruno captain.

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Lol

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I am.

  20. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Leeds look good for FUL. Just need Cooper back

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Mitro to get a brace

    2. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Reconsidering that mitrovic move. Perhaps one more game for him

  21. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Saint-Maximin let's gooooo!!!

  22. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I mean, it's not like there are still 37 weeks to go or anything.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agreed

  23. LE CHARO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Learnt my lesson the hard way. Only planned to keep a Liverpool mid for one GW and thought the chances of Salah massively outscoring Mané in just one game were slim, and then Pool got 2 pens...

    That one choice will probably result in my worst start ever in FPL. Glad there's still 37 GWs left.

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Don't beat yourself up. Statistically the chance of salah scoring a hatrick are very low, let alone mane failing. It happens, but rarely. Not worth agonising over

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Hat-trick including 2 pens.

  24. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    So now the question is, which two players to pick?

    - Salah
    - De Bruyne
    - Bruno Fernandes

    1. Yome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salah and KDB

      1. Azathoth
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Mo & KDB

    2. European Bob
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Kev and Bruno, Salah won't get 2 pens every week

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Tempted by Sterling over KDB tbh

  25. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Captaining Salah was a risk not worth taking at this early stage as Auba was captained by a much bigger percentage. Discuss.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salah home to a promoted team no brainer imo

    2. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Don't think you can call Salah at home to Leeds a risk.

      Was always going to captain and assumed everyone else would too until looking at the poll yesterday/

    3. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Go with who you think will score the most points. Doesn’t make sense to play otherwise, especially in GW1!

    4. Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It was a coin toss.

      Maybe Auba scores a hat trick next week, who knows.

      Salah did look sharper than end of last season and pre-season though. Good job to those who predicted that.

    5. Yome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salah was a no brainer against Leeds. Yes Auba was playing Fulham but it was away. I tend to trust the home player more.

      1. curious_zombie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Has the home advantage held up without the crowds though...? Apparently it has https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/09/home-advantage-fans

      2. Johnjo
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Home/away not so much of a factor with no fans though is it?

    6. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      131% effective ownership vs 114% - the risk element was negligble.

    7. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Both were very good options. There's really nothing pick apart or to get het up over.

      1. Garlana
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeh this, Fulham were a mess..Auba could easily have got more.

    8. curious_zombie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not just the crowd - Leeds was much better defensively in the CShip than Fulham.

    9. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Depends how you play the game, the one bit of Laterisers advice I luckily took was to ignore ownership and go with who you think will do better.

  26. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Best nketiah replacement for a one week punt please

    1. Azathoth
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Bamford (vs Ful)

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Think he'll start ? Thanks

  27. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    That firmino miss was.. disappointing. He really should have buried that

  28. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Life will go on. Non Salah owner.

  29. Andy'81
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Howay Andy Carroll

  30. curious_zombie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    First season without Salah and this happens 🙂
    This will still pay off if Son/Rashford + Havertz/Pulisic get more than Salah+ASM over next 4 gws. (wouldn't have capped him anyway over auba)
    In the long run, the 'value theory' should hold up
    In the short run, I have a slight pain below my ribcage 🙂