Dugout Discussion

Rodríguez returns on Everton bench as West Ham recall Coufal

Everton and West Ham’s matchday squads are beginning to edge closer to full-strength as of their Gameweek 17 teamsheets.

James Rodríguez (£7.7m) returns for the first time since Gameweek 11 although is only fit enough for a place on the Toffees’ bench.

For now, Bernard (£5.8m) occupies his slot on the right-hand side of Everton’s attacking midfield, joined there by Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m) and Richarlison (£7.8m).

How long until Rodríguez will be ready to start games regularly again remains unclear but Fantasy managers will certainly have him on their radars.

However, anyone invested in Michael Keane (£5.1m) will be disappointed by Carlo Ancelotti’s team selection in Gameweek 17, with the centre-back named on the bench for the first time this season.

Mason Holgate (£4.8m) tucks inside from his recent right-back role to staff the heart of the defence with Yerry Mina (£5.6m) with Seamus Coleman (£4.8m) making his first start since Gameweek 8.

It is a similar story with West Ham who, once again, feature Michail Antonio (£6.2m) on the bench, which makes for a seventh successive start for Sebastien Haller (£6.1m), but suggests they could be back to full-strength soon.

Fantasy managers will certainly have their eye on that situation, especially with West Ham’s appealing fixtures in Double Gameweek 19, where they host Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.

David Moyes has recalled Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m) to the line-up, having rested him against Southampton but Issa Diop (£4.3m) and Fabian Balbuena (£4.4m) remain out of the starting XI, Craig Dawson (£4.5m) impressing enough in his Gameweek 16 audition to keep his place.

Everton XI: Pickford; Godfrey, Mina, Holgate, Coleman; Doucouré, T Davies; Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Bernard; Calvert-Lewin.

West Ham United XI: Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Dawson, Coufal; Rice, Soucek; Benrahma, Fornals, Bowen; Haller.

1,770 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should have listened to the RMT tool.

    Told me to play Soucek over Raphinha 😛

    And don't say it was obvious, I posted the question before and pretty much unanimous to start Raphinha 😀

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

      Awful top post. Feel free to laugh at my pain.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah poor decision that

        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Haha, so funny you dug that out

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

            It was today?

    3. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Raph can still score well

    4. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      you cant make this comment until raphina has played

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

        Possibly COVID suspension would get him off, but not betting on it.

  2. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Non Cresswell owner tears flooding the comment section...

    1. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        ??

      • DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Just a few, most with only DCL which doesn’t help...

    2. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek has been my gem of the season. Horrible start but stuck with him mostly on the bench, started playing him when the fixtures changed and have got every return.

      1. FPL_Motty
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think soucek has probably been responsible for about 400k rank rise just on his own for me. Every goal has translated into about 40-80k rank rises, and with 5 goals now thats just been huge for me. And that value is unbelievable, allowing me to spend my money in the rest of the team

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          The value seen in him at the start of the season was a great find. His attacking threat is so contrary to his position on paper, 5m was irresistible. Worst case scenario it was a risk of 0.5m over a standard bench fodder.

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

          Say goodbye to him now though as any kind of differential.

          1. jdp219
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            He's still only 11-12% owned at the moment. I'd imagine people still go for El Ghazi or Raphinha.

    3. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek is my 5th mid, and right now is first bench.

      I should just be playing a 352 from now on, huh?

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Who are your forwards?

        1. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Bamford, DCL, Wilson. Opted for Wilson this gameweek because Leicester concedes the most penalties.

          1. Postman Ty
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I've learned to rely on penalties less, it never seems to work out (Bruno excepted).

            1. jdp219
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              True. Hindsight just sucks in this case. If Wilson hammers Leicester, I won't feel so bad.

              1. Postman Ty
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                That's the thing, no point being fussed until Wilson has played and even that the rest of your team doesn't need auto-subs.

                1. jdp219
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  Amen to that. I like green arrows, though. LOL.

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

            Drop 1 of those, and get brewster. Use that extra ~3m to upgrade the rest of your team. Thats what soucek is for

        2. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          DCL or Wilson would be downgraded to allow Grealish (to Son) or Kilman upgrade.

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I feel your pain. Me too. Decided to play my three forwards instead ... bamford Wilson Watkins.... thems are the breaks I guess ... I also have coufal on my bench too .... oh the humanity

        1. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Oof. That hurts.

      3. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Always a tricky one. Can go either way really. I am a massive fan of 343, but meddled with 352 when Brewster went to Sheffield. I'm reverting back

        1. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          True. It's tough. I've been 50/50 with Soucek. Missed his 10-pointer in gw15, and unless a benching for someone else, I'm missing this one, too.

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

      Repost.

      Keane dropped or rested?

    5. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bottomed.....

      Would you play 7 next GW, or FH?

      Already planned to FH GW18 and TC in GW19, but doubting my plan now

    6. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lingard benched, WTF!!!

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        season over

      2. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Phil Jones not even in the squad?! I can't win.

    7. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Declan Rice is such an under rated player. Huge presence in midfield. Strong player who protects the defence.

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He won't be at West Ham in the next two years

      2. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Probably underrated still by the public but look at the price tag West Ham put on him and how much Chelsea want him. The people who know, know.

        1. MGMT
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Exactly

    8. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Simple i have
      Martienz Stones Son Burno Bissouma & Kane
      So should i use FH
      A- YES for sure
      B- Nope

    9. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why have the Premier League changed the rules for City?

      They asked City to not disclose the names of the recent players who tested positive.

      They didn't ask the same from other clubs in recent months when their players tested positive for Covid.

    10. Bocaginge
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Randolph was playing, not Fabianksi. What was the situation there?

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Injured in warmup

    11. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son to Sterling or KDB?

    12. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neutrals..... what do you reckon, assist or not? Looked a shot off target por moi.....

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Looked like it was scewing off target to me.

        Owner.

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

        It was a shot, then there was a huge deflection and then Soucek finished it off.
        Shouldn't be an assist imo.

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

        Should be taken off

      4. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        The rules don’t say the shot has to be in target for it to count as an assist. That said, there’s no way that should count as an assist

        1. Danno - Emre Canada
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I think it does say on target...... from a rebound maybe.

          I don’t reckon it should be an assist

          Assists

          Assists are awarded to the player from the goal scoring team, who makes the final pass before a goal is scored. An assist is awarded whether the pass was intentional (that it actually creates the chance) or unintentional (that the player had to dribble the ball or an inadvertent touch or shot created the chance).

          If an opposing player touches the ball after the final pass before a goal is scored, significantly altering the intended destination of the ball, then no assist is awarded. Should a touch by an opposing player be followed by a defensive error by another opposing outfield player then no assist will be awarded. If the goal scorer loses and then regains possession, then no assist is awarded.

          Rebounds
          If a shot on goal is blocked by an opposition player, is saved by a goalkeeper or hits the woodwork, and a goal is scored from the rebound, then an assist is awarded

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

          "Rebounds
          If a shot on goal is blocked by an opposition player, is saved by a goalkeeper or hits the woodwork, and a goal is scored from the rebound, then an assist is awarded"

          Rules say Shot on goal

          1. I Must Break You
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Is this for official assists, or FPL assists?

      5. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Doesn't matter that it was off target. The rules simply say if a shot on goal is blocked by an opposition player and a goal is scored from the rebound an assist is awarded. Cresswell shot, it was blocked by a defender and Soucek scored the rebound. Clear assist according to the rules. Not sure what the debate is?

        1. Danno - Emre Canada
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Arrr ok so doesnt have to be on target, cool

          1. gooberman
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            To be fair I was wondering myself if the shot prior to the block had to be on target but the rules just say shot on goal with no mention of the shot having to be on target. Its a bit of a lucky assist but an assist according to the rules.

    13. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I need a very good advice how to deal with DCL.
      I want to get rid but need to play FH in the next GW, which means it'll keep my team for the DGW after playing my chip.

      Really dunno what to do about that.

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You’ll still have one transfer between gw 18 and 19

        1. Muchentuchel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Don't get this. I thought the FH will erase all transfers made in the same GW.

          1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I think Dthinger is trying to say you can still remove DCL with your 1FT for DGW19

            1. Muchentuchel
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              yea but he will be worth only 7.6 by then.

              1. St Pauli Walnuts
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Can't have your cake and eat it mate.

                1. The Polymath
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  This

    14. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Villa clean sheet gone. Thank god.

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

      Damn. Was umming and arrrring over Rashford to Son for -4. In the end bottled it. Son is surely odds on to get more than 6 pts against Leeds...