Dugout Discussion

New dad Coufal starts alongside Soucek and Cresswell, as Lamptey misses out for Brighton

Owners of Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m) will be delighted that the arrival of a new child has not stopped the Czech right-back from starting against Brighton and Hove Albion.

David Moyes has seemingly reverted to the wing-back system that was previously halted by Arthur Masuaku’s (£4.4m) knee surgery, with the cheap Ben Johnson (£3.9m) in his place.

Johnson for Pablo Fornals (£6.2m) is the only change from last week’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, as Michail Antonio (£6.2m) is still not back from the hamstring injury picked up against Aston Villa in Gameweek 10. Asked about his return, Moyes said he “can’t say exactly when. Hopefully it’ll not be too long.” Tomas Soucek (£5.1m), Aaron Cresswell (£5.3m) and Jarrod Bowen (£6.4m) all start.

The Hammers have not yet beaten Brighton in the Premier League, drawing the last three of their six meetings. Cresswell is well-owned, providing four assists and creating more chances than any other defender except Andrew Robertson (£7.3m), whilst Bowen ranks seventh for midfielder shots. The under-priced Soucek has already scored three times, adding to a trio from the second half of last season.

Brighton head coach Graham Potter has swapped two players from the disappointing 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. Out goes Joel Veltman (£4.3m) and Aaron Connolly (£5.3m); in comes Dan Burn (£4.3m) and the man who came off the bench to equalise, Danny Welbeck (£5.5m).

Injured Tariq Lamptey (£4.8m) has frustrated his ownership by playing just twice in six gameweeks, again missing out because of his hamstring. FPL managers will ditch the flying wing-back, especially as the relegation battlers’ defence continues to defy their strong underlying statistics, keeping only three clean sheets despite conceding the second fewest shots in the league.

In fact, no team’s conceded goals tally exceeds their xGC (expected goals conceded) by more than the Seagulls, letting in 22 goals despite an xGC of just 14.69.

However, the Seagulls travel quite well, as their last four league wins have all been away from home. The free transfer of Welbeck has been one of their few bright sparks of the season, bagging two goals and two assists since first starting in Gameweek 8.

Mathew Ryan’s (£4.4m) time in goal appears to be over, not making the bench as Robert Sanchez (£4.4m) is handed a third consecutive start. Potter has also favoured Leandro Trossard (£5.7m) over Pascal Gross (£5.8m).

West Ham United XI: Fabianski; Coufal, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Johnson; Rice, Soucek, Noble; Bowen, Haller

Brighton and Hove Albion XI: Sanchez; Dunk, Webster, White, Burn; Bissouma, Lallana, March; Trossard, Maupay, Welbeck

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,971 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What about the jersey pull on Haller as well?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ah sure it's grand I'm sure he didn't gain any significant advantage from it
      /s

  2. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hate you Coufal

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why hate ?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I expected nothing less than a 2 digit haul 😉

      2. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Didn’t do as he told

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Exacty

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

    Soucek mate youre meant to be doing that kind of header in the other goal

  4. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why is Bowen out?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He was terrible.

  5. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Soucek prowling in the box now after that Brighton h/ball goal.

    He will have his revenge with a towering trademark header, mark my words

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

      D-

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

        A+

    2. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Well predicted 🙂

  6. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    West Ham were better when Moyes was self-isolating.

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

      Agree

    2. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This. They were great, actually.

      Players must be dispirited having most of these managers on the touchline trying to tell them what to do when they're clearly... idk what. Insane?

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

    In hindsight, I should have started Dallas over Coufal.

    1. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      We just suck so far, let's admit (Fabianski over Meslier here). West Ham most likely looked terrible against Chelsea, and while Leeds gave up 6 to Man U, we could at least say with confidence that Brighton are more attacking than Burnley.

  8. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Coufal owners getting a preview of what's to come in the DGW. DGW blindness punished

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

      Christmas spirit over?

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

        Never started for some!

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Charlie Taylor & Coufal will both be 1 point DGW’ers

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dallas over coufal paying off for me but lets face it us dallas owners deserve just as much as coufal

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

        Dallas has much more attacking threat than Coufal.

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

      The fixtures are a lot better though - Brighton have scored the same number of goals as Burnley and West Brom combined.

  9. Zambian FPL Addict
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I know a powefull witch doctor in Zambia, paid him about 5£ Salah is gonna blank 5 games in a row.

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

      He mis-read the request. 5 goals today.

    2. REDMOND IN SANDALS
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ask her to get martial scoring goals?

    3. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Vindicated

  10. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Not handball is a joke.

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That was not Handball,

      Coufal owner here

  11. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Eff off West Ham defence!

  12. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Soucek is not a 4th mid in a season with so many budget strikers doing well

    Just asking to be punished if youre starting him

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He's a 5th mid

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        he's not supposed to be in the fpl squad

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        In a 3-5-2

        1. BenDavies
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          this

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A few weeks ago we were all sternly told that you don't bench Soucek.

      I can't keep up to be honest!

      For 5.0, I'm perfectly happy with him as my 7th attacker

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This, if you have him, is why you have him. People need to simmer down a bit.

      2. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Those who said that are paying for it now

        1. TOLV TUMS
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Again, the point is that he's 5.0 and he plays and occasionally gets a return. You're only "paying for it" if you're expecting him to be Son or Salah, which you shouldn't, ever.

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

      Who are these budget strikers you speak of?

      Other than Bamford I don't like any of them haha

    4. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      With so many premiums to fit in you need a cheap 4th mid

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

      The timing on this is hilarious.

      Soucek has 4 goals this season. He's a 5.1m mid.

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

    I think WetHam are just one of those teams who perform better as under-dogs, but in games they should win or dominate they are totally useless.
    That said they will go on a relegation run now and wont beat anyone for about 10 weeks

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      They've done well so far, but in terms of quality players I still don't think the forwards are sorted.

      Always seem to be relying on antonio getting fit for a week or 2.

  14. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Was really needing at least one return from Coufal/Soucek, shame really...

  15. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Not so sure that BB West Ham, Leeds and Southampton players is a wise decision

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

      West Ham defenders, Leeds attackers and a Southampton defender.

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

      They're good value. Good some games, not so much on others.

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

      Almost every bench boost is full of fodder any time of year though. Doesnt matter when you pkay it so may as well do it in a dgw. The latter dgw will have bb full of cheapies as well.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      After any BB is the challenge. Spreading resources for 15 back to maximise 11.

    5. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best point I've heard on here today

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

    why i have westham in my team

    with my 10 years expereince

    it is inaccepatable

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sentimental maybe

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      masochistic streak perhaps?

  17. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    First goal after ball left the stadium in the game against Man Utd and now this...

    West Ham is clearly very low refferies liked clubs list.

  18. fridge
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    LHelp me on my final spot (up to 6.2) on wildcard please!

    McCarthy. 4.0
    Robbo. Dallas. Coufal. Balbuena. Taylor
    Salah. Son. Bruno. Raphinha. Soucek
    Kane. Bamford. —

    A) Wood
    B) Adams
    C) Watkins

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

      Not BB in the double? Should have 2 playing gk’s no?

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

        My problem with that is I only have 5.7 for a striker and don’t want to end up with too much crap in my team post DGW!

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

    Ward-Prowse or Bowen on WC?

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

    Everyone with their pretty defenses. Meanwhile I have:

    Zouma James Coufal this week... with Dallas first sub. Huge fail.

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yc for coufal and dallas comes in

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

      Don’t wanna be that guy, but why start James over Dallas?

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

        Isn't it obvious? Dallas and Leeds are statistically the worst defense in the league. Burnley also looked better attacking vs Wolves. Leeds could've easily conceded today.

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

          And we're talking playing Reece James, one of the most attacking full backs in the league against Arsenal...

  21. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Burnley (H) West Brom (H) though... surely there's at least one CS there.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I fancy Burnley to sneak one, West Brom maybe as wel but that’s the game you’d expect a cleanie

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

      They've scored 0.64 goals per game between them, and West Ham's defensive stats aren't horrible. I'm keeping the faith.

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

      Yep at least 1 . going to ignore this game every team suffers a blip here and there , well this season especially

  22. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wild carders stay resolute , 1 random game should not alter the plan hmmm
    or should it

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

      It shouldn't. But Hammers defence playing like we expected before season started. Those unexpected cleansheets raised expectations.

  23. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    No goal, not even an assist from Soucek? After paying a lot to get him into my team I expect more.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Paying a lot?

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

        Got him from Amazon.

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Timing.

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

        😀

  24. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Worth moving out Cresswell before the doubles?

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

    Soucek lol

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

    SOUCEKKKKKKKKKKKKK

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

    Soucek lmao

  28. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thomas G

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

    Soucek goal

  30. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sooooky Soooky Sooky