Dugout Discussion

Pope returns for Burnley as Everton continue with wing-back system

Nick Pope (£5.4m) resumes his position between the posts in Blank Gameweek 11’s early kick-off at Turf Moor.

The goalkeeper was absent in Gameweek 10 with a head injury as the Clarerts succumbed to a 5-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Robbie Brady (£5.0m) has also overcome a small injury issue to start at either left or right midfield, while Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.4m) is not part of the matchday squad. On the injury-prone winger, Sean Dyche said on Thursday:

Johann is still touch and go with how much we can use him and how much we have got to protect him while he gets his true full fitness. Robbie has come through well today and trained.

Before kick off on Saturday, the Burnley boss remarked:

Our injury list is getting better, that has affected us but we have to get back to performances like against [Crystal] Palace. Everton are a good outfit, they’ve invested heavily. We don’t take anyone lightly.

Carlo Ancelotti is sticking with a wing-back system in the enforced absence of senior full-backs Seamus Coleman (£4.8m) and Lucas Digne (£6.1m).

Neither Jonjoe Kenny (£4.3m) nor Niels Nkounkou (£4.0m) are part of the Everton matchday squad.

Speaking to BT Sport ahead of kick off, the Italian explained:

We need confidence and more consistency. We need to play well today and get more points. We try a back three again, I had some good ideas in training and they worked well.

Of course, it doesn’t matter; the test is today. I have confidence. Burnley are a strong team with good organisation. Fabian Delph has experience of this type of game which should be helpful for us.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9m) takes his customary position up front, flanked by Richarlison (£7.8m) and James Rodriguez (£7.8m).

On the Colombian, Ancelotti said on Friday:

James is in a good condition. He had an injury problem, as everyone knows. But this week he trained well, properly, and he is back.

You have to consider for this player to travel around the world and play international games is not easy. The fact [that James] and the other international players are here until March could be good for them

The Everton boss added on Richarlison:

He was suspended, we suffered without him. He did well in the last two games, was really important against Fulham.

The Toffees are without a clean sheet since Gameweek 1.

“We are good offensively, we had problems defensively. Every game is a test to see how we are. Tomorrow [vs Burnley] I hope we can be better on this [defensive] aspect.” – Carlo Ancelotti

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; Taylor, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; McNeil, Brownhill, Westwood, Brady; Jay Rodriguez, Wood.

Everton XI (3-4-3): Pickford; Keane, Mina, Godfrey; Delph, Allan, Doucouré, Iwobi; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin, James Rodriguez.

1,178 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Happy Birthday to me, thanks for starting Sterling Pep X

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Happy birthday!

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you

    2. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hattrick for your birthday

      I only got one player in the game

      If this ends up 8-0 some folks are going to celebrate like crazy

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, just wish I had KdB and Jesus/Mahrez too!

    3. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Good lad you I did Sterling to Salah regardless his points today good luck

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Nice one mate, good luck too

  2. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo is primarily a RB 🙂
    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/22894006

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

      Yes he played on the right side all his footballing career

    2. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      We know that. It’s Walker randomly omitted from the squad is what no one saw coming

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Quite

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      With all due respect, I believe that’s common knowledge.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That’s fair. I just saw lots of people saying he’ll be rotated now Mendy is back.

        He should be good to own as he can play both flanks, but of course he’ll still be rotated just like Reece James will.

  3. Keep Calm and Play On
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why does Pickford have to make every save seem like it was a worldly? He seems to want to overcomplicate saves for the cameras and that often leads to his errors...not sure why he is still England number 1

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Give it a rest.

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

    Wow how did Mark find himself with a Walker/Cancelo double. What an absolute disaster

    1. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Walker Laporte would be a disaster

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

        I dunno. If I owned walker Cancello and watching the last two games I would want shot of both because you can't trust either. And they have stacks of money tied up in them. Pretty much as disasterous unless Cancello does mange double figures today to cover the repairs

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

      Switching Pep's fullbacks, what a rookie mistake

  5. 2999 - Lady of Legend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo, KDB, captain Sterling..
    Let's do this!!

  6. In Bale We Trust
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    As one of the man who took Cancelo out...kill me.

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I did too. For Walker.

      Lol at me.

    2. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Could be worse

      Could have kept him.... and benched him afraid he would have a 1 pt cameo on 88 mins......

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

    What happened to Walker? Really strange.

    1. boogle
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Rest

      1. Lazaretti
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This. Why not give a rest now when they face Fulham and both Cancelo and Mendy in ok form

        1. Begbie.
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Because he was rested in midweek?

          1. boogle
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Long rest

          2. Lazaretti
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Well that's true. It was Zinchenko and Cancelo against Porto. Weird

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

      All I know is I took cancello out for a hit for walker as I wasn't sure if have 3 defenders...to not even be benched is a big worry

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I did the same.

      2. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I benched cancelo......

    3. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      well it is pep

    4. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Did you do Cancelo to Walker?

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

        Nope. Cancelo > Dallas. I was gonna do the move next week anyway so it's not a huge loss.

        1. In Bale We Trust
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I also did this exact move. I can take a Cancelo six pointer but anything more will sting

        2. Azzy
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          So why not just do it next week? If you’re going to bench him this week anyway
          Silly decision

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

            Because I have no bench and thought Cancelo was definitely not gonna start. At least Dallas will start for sure.

            1. FPL Daniel
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Wrong decision Camzy imo but not a too bad one

  8. boogle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Another hattrick please captain Mahrez

    1. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Only if Bruno matches him though? Can we agree on that?

      1. boogle
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeh I'm ok with that

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes please.

  9. Exxtreme
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bought Cancelo, doesn’t play, replaced him with Walker, doesn’t play and Cancelo’s playing... I’ll never ever buy another player from mcity

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch

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

      Yup I did the same mate...it was a logical move tbf

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I did that too last night.

      Eff Pep

    4. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It’s a horrible feeling mate!!! The stomach dropped when i saw the team news, I did him to Lamptey and upgrade Steer for a hit after only getting Cancelo last week too

    5. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Same here. Walker must be injured.

      I also did Sterling to Mahrez.

  10. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Can’t believe my luck at the Pep roulette table as a Cancelo owner

    1. GROBARI
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Everything is strange this year.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lucky it’s not real roulette then hey

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

      Quit while ahead

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think any City player barring maybe Foden was a don’t sell this week

  11. Red Red Robins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Son to J-Rod?
    1.8 in bank........Grealish would give me more money to spend elsewere, but Son the obvious one really?
    I have Kane too

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wtf. No. Evrryone should sell JRod

      1. Red Red Robins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Oops - Son IN for J-Rod haha

  12. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Dayyum. I did Robertson --> Walker

    to enable

    Son --> KDB (C) (-4)

    screwww youu Pep!!!!! WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That’s a lot of Ys

      1. 272MK
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It matches my frustration

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

    So, how's this for conspiracy theory: Pep's playing Stones to give him game time against weaker opponents so that they get a better price for him when they off-load him in the January window...? 🙂

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      And ensure one of their best centre backs Laporte loses his fitness and turns to rubbish?

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'll get some tinfoil

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

        Make sure it's none of that lightweight rubbish...

      2. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Hahaha Excellent comment

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Stones starting this week was pretty obvious, he was a good FH candidate imo. He played well last week, long term no I dont think he can stay at City though, no idea where he would go though and for a silly price tag?

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

    Approaching time for DCL's second...

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      For sure

  15. istanbul05
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Initial thoughts on these 2 options? Leaning towards A

    A) DCL, Ziyech, Cresswell to Bamford, Salah, Coufal (-4).
    B) Ziyech, Kane to Salah, Wilson.

    Martinez,
    Chilwell, KWP, Cresswell,
    KDB, Fernandes, Ziyech, Jota, Grealish,
    Kane, DCL.

    Forster, Dallas, Brewster, 3.9.

    Thanks

  16. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Huge chance missed by Siggy

  17. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Minute of silence for all those managers who were selling Sterlo boy and Cancelo for a hit

  18. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any player can miss out starting in a single gameweek over the busy xmas schedule. Best to have a rule of not selling players unless they are not starting for 2 gameweeks in row. That way you won't miss out on any hauls and have sellers regret.

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This forum will shout dropped everytime A player misses out 🙂

    2. Vlekz
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This week was different with a game cancelled.

      • Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I would regret keeping someone through two blanks, only for him to haul in the third week once I finally sell him.

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

      Siggy ruins Hamez assist 🙁

    4. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Iwobi is not good

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

        No sh1t...

    5. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Pope is so good

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

        I don't understand why he's still playing for Burnley really... no disrespect to Burnley but he's on a different level

    6. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Pep on the other hand is a liar. Torres did score last time and now he is benched

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Send an email to FPL

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Pep is Mourinho level of a fraud

    7. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I like how excited all us Sterling owners are btw. It's like we haven't watched him at all this season... we all know at 4:45 we'll be discussing who to sell him for 😆

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Nah something feels different. As a seller, I can see a hattrick

        1. fusen
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          the "different" thing you feel is being scared as you just sold him, nothing else.

      2. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Fulham would give good opportunities to counter imo, should be a Raz game this

      3. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        As a seller I feel he will return big but couldn't care less he's been frustrating specially with captaining him fail earlier in the season plus the feeling that Salah will score and will bring him anyway

    8. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Iwobi is horrendous

      1. In Bale We Trust
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Shocking attempts at a delivery there. Mad how a winger with his experience still so bad at putting in a cross

    9. Jdpz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Pope is the best gk in Premier League.

    10. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Early thoughts on KDB to Salah or Son to Salah? Son will mean hit included

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Son with a hit

    11. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Everyone went for Walker yet I trusted Cancelo can get a start. Keep in mind his main position is RB and Walker, judging by Legomane's stats from last night, should get a rest b cause he played every pl game.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I think he's injured

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Wrong link. He's not though.

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Guess you get rid after this game then? Take the points and run

      3. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Well done for giving Cancelo >1 GW leniency.

    12. fusen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That is prime Hames. Great through ball and then Siggy missed a one v one and James gets no points...

      He's had so many similar situations over the last couple of weeks. It just isn't working for him as an FPL asset at the moment.

    13. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      how many baps for DCL? not like it will affect my rank or anything.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Probably 0

    14. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anguissa haul let’s GO