Dugout Discussion

Johnstone absent for West Brom after positive Covid-19 test as Boly returns for Wolves

West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) misses the Baggies’ first DGW19 fixture following a positive Covid-19 test.

Ahead of the Black Country derby at Molineux, Sam Allardyce explained:

Covid has kept out Sam [Johnstone] and Matt Phillips for us, as well as one or two other Under-23s that would probably have been in the squad.

Grady [Diangana] pulled or tweaked a hamstring, so we had to make a change there.

Asked by BT Sport what he has been trying to fix in training, Allardyce responded:

I’ve tried to fix the fact that we’ve got to stop conceding goals that are avoidable. Our concentration levels sometimes lapse, in split seconds and moments. It only takes the opposition a few seconds to exploit that. That is the focus when we’re out of possession.

In possession, it’s really about trying to get more quality in the final third. Create more chances in open play, which has been extremely difficult for us.

Wolves boss Nuno, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, said of his side’s recent leaky displays:

“We (have) made big mistakes, especially in defence. We must be compact and from there can grow positives. “We have to go back to our main foundation; a clean sheet.”

The Portuguese manager has duly reverted to a tried-and-tested back three. Nuno revealed in the embargoed section of his media offering that Willy Boly (£5.4m) would start for West Brom’s visit.

Boly is joined by Conor Coady (£4.9m) and Romain Saiss (£5.1m), while the Wolves teamsheet suggests that Pedro Neto (£6.0m) will operate at left wing-back.

The winger was a doubt for this afternoon’s kick-off, as was Adama Traoré (£6.1m). The latter also starts the match in a front two alongside Fabio Silva (£5.2m).

“Adama didn’t play the last game, he had a problem. He is better, so he is ready to go. Boly had an injury for some while and [now] he’s good.” – Nuno

Daniel Podence (£5.4m) remains sidelined, along with Jonny (£5.4m) and Marcal (£4.8m).

“Let’s see. We have Adama and Boly coming and joining (training). Let’s see how they are for tomorrow. We still have Daniel out. We have work to do. Jonny, Podence, Marcal are out.” – Nuno speaking on Friday

Wolves XI: Patricio; Saiss, Coady, Boly; Neto, Neves, Dendoncker, Semedo; Moutinho; Fabio Silva, A Traoré.

West Bromwich Albion XI: Button; Gibbs, Bartley, Ajayi, O’Shea; Snodgrass, Livermore, Sawyers; Grosicki, C Robinson, M Pereira.

1,347 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Bamford sick ?

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What

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

        bamford and meslier rumoured to have covid

        1. i_shaan_dixit
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          thats's 2 in my team now with Covid. by the end of GW, i might have a bench full of covid players.

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wicked sick

    3. i_shaan_dixit
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      why would u ask that?

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

      Youre fricking kidding me.

      God damn it. I was pondering Bam > Antonio (-4) for the whole week, and didn't have the balls to go through with it this morning.

      Fuming now (if Bam is indeed sick)

    5. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will score a sick brace today

    6. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      if indeed true i get smith rowe off the bench, not a bad swap necessarily

  2. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Haven’t played any chips yet and have my second wildcard. I’m 49k in the world but worries I’m being too conservative especially this week.

    Do you reckon there will be better times to play the chips?

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

      1. Too late to ask now
      2. Humble brag
      3. Well done! Having a great season

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

    So after weeks of painstaking preparation for this DGW, it turns out West Brom assets were essential. I give up.

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Meslier not spotted m8

  4. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hit Olympics!
    Rank from 104k to 91k, no one played yet

  5. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cup opponent triple captained Foden. Incoming hat-trick for him

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He’ll start on the bench in both games too, just to rub it in

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

      Yes! Let’s go!

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

      Antonio?

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

    Coady punished, Nuno FUMING. Owners should be worried

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

    Just noticed my rank has risen despite no one playing. Lots of hits then

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

      Average hit top 10K -3.35

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

        Insanely high!

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

      almost -4 average among serious managers

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I took a -4, must be serious

        1. Yes Ndidi
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I took a -8. I must be better again.

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

    Anyone even considered WBA attacking assets for the dgw?

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      My cup opponent has brought in Robinson

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

        Genius

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thought they were a gonner

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

      Never

  9. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can Brom pull themselves out of relegation and survive in the PL?

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No. Them, Sheffield and Newcastle going down

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

      No

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

      I think so. I'd be seriously worried if I was a Brighton fan - great team on paper, play eye-catching football, but regularly get beat. Might need to change style

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

      Hope not

  10. Spg76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My rivals gone for Bruno(c). A yellow card against Liverpool and he’s suspended next game right?

    1. JohnBlack
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Right

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same as my cup rival

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

    Would have been nice of Pereira to have done this when I owned him

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

      Never got a pen

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

    How is this game even high scoring

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

      2 bad defences

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

      This season for you

  13. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BT commentators can't put 2 and 2 together and work out that Saiss and Boly were left on because of their set piece threat. 😆

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

      Filthy

  14. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No Meslier would be a good start to the BB

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ha?

  15. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Where are the Meslier Johnstone BBers

    1. Phlajo
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ML rival has both. Is Meslier out?

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        We're about to find out

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

      \o

      I’m here!!

  16. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Surely there has never been close to this many penalties? Pathetic defending!

  17. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    just woke up in the states and my word! saw bad news on johnstone ughhh
    BB Active - Johnstone Rodrigo Raphinha DecordovaReid

    how frustrating for us playing the chip with him!!! covid strikes yet again

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

      Yep, that's a wasted BB right there, but very little you could have done really

  18. Party time
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Meslier owners about to get stunned after laughing at Johnstone owners

      1. Phlajo
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What's the news about him? Just random guessing?

        1. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No sign of him at the stadium

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

        Apparently he’s in the bog

        1. Hooky
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          With Rupert

          1. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Rupert ain’t so dirty. Trust me 😉

          2. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              😆

        2. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Perreira locked as highest scoring player this GW

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

          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/23213576

          Might bet on Fofana to score now that my crystal ball is working

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

            He will I expect him to haul too went with Ogbonna instead

        4. Naby K8a
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes Jimenez injury was a big blow. But the Wolves project seems to have gone stale this season. Such poor recruitment

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

            Might be a season too early for all these promising youngsters but they will come good in the longer term

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

            Why the hell did they sell Doherty too? Made no sense

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

            It's not poor, it's not Wolves's project to begin with... they have no saying on players transferred in nor out...

        5. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Boly constant threat. Could be getting a hattie here

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

          Saiss over Nouri, wtf is Nuno thinking

        7. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Wolves joint top with Brighton now on pens conceded

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

            Werner essential

        8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No meslier?

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

          Silva determined to give Traore no attacking return this season.

        10. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Leeds covid tests results in 1 minute

        11. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Did anyone punt on Pereira?

          Remember mentioning him a week or so ago about being on pens and TorresMagic saying the fact WBA don’t get any....typically the very next game they get 2 haha

          1. WVA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            He's a good player and like you say on pens, I had him from GW 1-6