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. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No Meslier!!!

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

      I’m utterly dejected.

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

    I’m actually pretty devastated by this Meslier news. Just gutted.

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Me too, kept the useless git for this benchboost. Cost me around 40-50 Martinez points. To boot, my cup rival started Meslier with Schmeichel subbing on!

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

        All last night considering Meslier to Fabs. Decided info on Fab was too vague and the chances were that he wouldn’t start. So got in Cresswell (3rd WHU player) and didn’t sell the keeper. Then someone posts a training ground pick of him. So sad. To compound that, Meslier doesn’t even play.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        xx honey.
        The gw isn’t over + Leeds will concede

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

          It’s the fact that I was on here last night and didn’t realise Fabs had trained. Moyes said he wasn’t sure about Fabs so kept Mes

      • Fit of Pique
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I feel you brother. Got another keeper coming in?

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

      Coufal / Soucek / Antonio / Dallas / Bamford let's go!!

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

      And they wear gloves all the time.

    5. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Who takes Hammers penos when Noble not on the pitch?

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

        Ant man

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

        Nobody knows because there hasn't been one. Lanzini used to but he isn't om the pitch much anymore either

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

        Soucek

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

        Cheers all...

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

        Anyonio, Soucek in that order is my guess

      6. HonestBlatter
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        ANTONIO (TC)

    6. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is Antonio limping yet?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Like Aguero

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

        3rd minute

      3. Blzbobuk
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        There is a warmup and we know even the goalie can’t survive those

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

      0-1 Burnley. Saying this now to make myself feel better when Coufal and Antonio inevitably blank

      1. Fpl stress
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same boat here, expecting burley to score and westham to not score, only because I got double westham defense and Antonio

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

      Rumour was right re Messier but not Bamford

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

      Why am I not bothered by not having a GK this week? Feel like I should, but I'm not. Guess it's the best position to not have a player.

      1. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Unlucky, but indeed not end of the world.

        2x attacker or mid would be way worse.

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

        Yes, because you never know if your keeper would have saved a pen or gotten haul.

      3. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Meslier was worst player in my team this week, don’t worry about it

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

        Same here .. I'm strangely not bothered despite having Ziger4.0 on bench rookie mistake I deserve it should've simply gone with Forster (!) or a playing keeper

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

          I didn't expect anything from him maybe a point or two as I think Brighton will have a decent game

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

      Non Soucek and Antonio owners need sofa to hide?

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

        Burnley are v good defensively right now

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

          Hoping for Burnley masterclass.

      2. boc610
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        ditto non son and kane owners tomorrow

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

        Antonio's probably already injured and soucek won't score again this season the big donkey

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

      Meslier absence CV19 related (source talk sport)

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

      Every goal Burnley score is a crime against football.

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

        Burnley is what makes the Premier League the Premier League.

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

      FPL is all skill

      Haha hahahahah hahaahahaha

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

        You ok there?

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

          Just about 🙂

          These gameweeks have become complete lotteries.

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

            It's like covid bingo.

      2. Vlekz
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It is. Just a lot less this season.

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

            It requires as much skill as picking a “good” player vs a “poor” team. The rest is in the lap of the FPL gods.

        • WVA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It's all luck mate and people that think differently are delusional

        • Bilbao Baggins
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          No good manager has ever said that. But I agree, luck does come into it more during a pandemic. All we can do is leave transfers late and save them when we can.

          A bench boost during this covid peak was always risky though .

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

            Agreed, bonkers to bench boost with all this going on.

            But even leaving transfers late makes no difference if managers keep the players who have tested positive secret.

            1. Bilbao Baggins
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              True but it helps. And we can't Control anything post deadline so literally unavoidable so. Some will benefit some will suffer. Just enjoy the games I reckon.

      3. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Button in for Meslier from my bench! Was looking at double Leeds defence yesterday but sold Ayling to Stones for a hit and now this. Hopefully Brighton nick a goal or two!

      4. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        For those hating on the guy with Pereira captain.

        Answer me this: if your season is going to be defined by missing out on the top 10k, wouldnt you rather have a lower rank but your season be defined by Pereira (C) in a dgw success?

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

          Who is hating on a Pereira (c)?

          Fair play to a person with cojones.

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            A fair few, 'yeah but what his rank' comments.

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

            Losers.

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

          He probably has 10 more accounts capping every attacker in this game.

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

            This

        3. Kellz86
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I just have fun with this game and see where it gets me (currently 104k)

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

          No 🙂

      5. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Meslier out

      6. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ah Pereira, blast from the past. Owned him for quite awhile actually... how disappointing he was

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

        Is the Leeds backup keeper any good?

        1. Il Capitano
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Conceeded 3 to Crawley

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

          Terrible

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

          Played for some Spanish club called Real Madrid

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

          I believe he was number one at one point and Meslier won the place

      8. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        6 players at 3pm and a few bets... shutter island on at kick off and check the 40 points and cash afterwards 🙂 GL

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

        Lol no Johnstone...
        non-owner but harsh

        1. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Wouldn’t have got many points

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

        Surprised meslier caught yhe virus since he couldnt catch anything when i watched him

      11. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        They need to close that goalkeepers only gentlemens club

      12. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bissouma benched. My bench boost takes another hit 🙁

      13. KEN YA DIG IT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This gameweek is gonna be interesting.Meslier and Johnstone owners in the mud.
        Whats next? Grealish and Martinez ruled out because of covid? Antonio pulling his hamstring in the first 20 minutes against Burnley?

        1. Alisson WondHaaland
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Bruno yellow card vs Pool, KDB cameo and misses pen 🙂

          1. KEN YA DIG IT
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            wont be surprised to be honest

            1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              And Maguire

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

            Salah blanks twice

          3. Kellz86
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Put cap on Kevin but two closest rivals went TC, I’ll be happy with a modest return

        2. DandyDon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Keeper points hardly key in fpl...I got a bit lucky with button off my bench but he’ll still get 3-5 points max I reckon over his 2 games.

      14. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No Percy wtf I just realised

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

        Meslier out?
        That's it. I'm done.

        1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Again?

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

        Meslier 🙁
        This game is HOrrible

      17. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Score predictions for WHU bs BUR?

        I’m going 0-2

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

          0-6 to hold the pain

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

          1-0

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

        Who was the stupid fecking troll saying Bamford has Covid earlier?

        Just want to say that you are a d**k!

      19. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why are sky giving the ultimate bell end Kris Boyd airtime on Soccer Saturday. Having to put up with him in Scottish football and now Scottish commentary all these years is quite enough!