Dugout Discussion

Injured Antonio fails fitness test as West Ham face bottom-of-the-table Blades

Michail Antonio (£6.6m) misses out through injury as West Ham United take on bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United this evening.

Kick-off in east London is at 18:00 GMT.

“Fatigue” was cited as the reason for the striker’s withdrawal in the goalless draw with Fulham in Gameweek 23 and subsequent absence in the FA Cup fifth round last Tuesday.

But another hamstring problem has put paid to Antonio’s involvement tonight, with David Moyes saying ahead of kick-off:

Angelo Ogbonna (£4.9m) is another injury-related absentee but Issa Diop (£4.3m) is fine to feature despite sustaining a knock to the head last week.

Tomas Soucek (£5.4m) is available for selection this evening, of course, after the Football Association swiftly overturned his red card at Craven Cottage.

Initially ‘red-flagged’ in Fantasy Premier League, the Czech midfielder was sold in considerable numbers in the hours after his dismissal.

Over 370,000 FPL managers offloaded Soucek, making him the most-sold midfielder of Gameweek 24.

Antonio also lost a similar number of owners in the run-up to Saturday’s deadline.

Enda Stevens (£5.0m) and Ben Osborn (£4.7m) return for Sheffield United, with Max Lowe (£4.3m) dropping to the bench and John Fleck (£5.6m) missing out through injury.

Chris Wilder said of Fleck ahead of kick-off:

John, unfortunately, was taken ill on Saturday night, early Sunday morning, so he’s just having tests back in Sheffield. He didn’t make the trip down with us.


West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Diop, Dawson, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek, Rice, Johnson, Lingard, Lanzini, Bowen.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Basham, Egan, Ampadu, Bogle, Lundstram, Norwood, Osborn, Stevens, McGoldrick, Sharp.

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973 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TOLV TUMS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So I've got Antonio starting, everyone else has played and I'm in a 4-4-2; bench order is Sou, Dal, DCL... who comes in? I always feel like such a noob with these questions, thanks

    1. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same as me below 😀

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

        haha thanks! here's hoping 🙂

    2. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Your first pick unless a 3rd defender is needed.

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

      If you're in a 4-4-2, you'll get that first sub no matter what.

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

        Thanks for clarifying 🙂

    5. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek comes in for Antonio. If Alonso doesn't feature you get Dallas -1. Hope for an Alonso start or cameo off the bench.

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

        uh yeah very very much this

      2. JohnnyRev7
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm talking bollox. Ignore me.

        1. JohnnyRev7
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Actually I'm not.

        2. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          😆

      3. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Why?
        He's had 4 defenders start already, bench order is unaffected.

        1. JohnnyRev7
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Because if Alonso no shows he'll get Dallas as autosub.

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Why, he's already got the required 3 defenders starting?

            1. JohnnyRev7
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              That's irrelevant. FPL will autosub 11 scoring players (+/-). Alonso no show will bring on Dallas in a 4-5-1.

              1. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                why would 2nd on the bench be subbed in ahead of 1st on bench?

                1. JohnnyRev7
                  • 13 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Soucek comes on for Antonio - 1st sub
                  Dallas will come on for Alonso (if Alonso doesn't feature) - 2nd sub

                  FPL autosub will always ensure 11 starting players (+/-).

                  1. Gnu
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    3 years, 1 month ago

                    Lordy, that wasn't the question. 😆
                    The original question was whether Soucek would come on or Dallas. Of course if 2 players don't play then 2 subs come on.
                    Jeez, how did it get this far. 😉

  2. The Hunt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Soucek first sub for Antonio...I can live with that. Dallas second sub if Chilwell doesn't play...a little boot in the plums that would be.

    1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Either you or the guy above with Alonso is going to be disappointed!

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

    Alioski or Ayling to enable Kane acquisition whilst having double in GW25, will be a bench fodder moving forward? Can't afford Dallas (0.3 short).

  4. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance of Coufal 15 pointer to cancel Lowton?

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Give him 3-4 games

  5. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play up POMPEY...

  6. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    SHU goal would be delightful

  7. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lob it for Soucek!

  8. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hahahahaaaa pen

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

    Cresswell would have scored that grrrr

  10. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Boo hoo.

    Raphina 5pts incoming

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

    Cresswell on pens?!!

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

      Boo curry and Rice taking it

  12. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dawson assist maybe

  13. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I think it'll be Soucek on pens.

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Will he header it?

  14. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Offside

  15. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dawson clearly offside. No pen

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lmfao, West Ham may never get a pen again. Haven't got one all season.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        LOL that sucks!

  16. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    VAR says no

  17. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Glad thats offside since there's no Antonio to take it

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

    That free kick was in a perfect position for a left footed Cresswell hit.
    Why on earth did Rice take it!

  19. swobe
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If first and second sub don't play this GW my third playing sub comes in, right?

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on the formation.

      1. swobe
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        343 with Antonio missing out.
        First and second subs are blank defenders, 3rd sub is Maddison.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          You get Maddy. Ridiculous spawn

          1. swobe
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            very ridiculous spawn. Cheers, Rover.

  20. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Soucek has taken 13 career penalties, scoring 10

    Rice has taken... zero

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

      Really? Why didn't I know this.

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Why doesn't Rice know this?

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

          😆

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

          Soucek is too nice.

  21. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1st sub always has 2-points max when I need him, like some sort of universal law or something

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The universe has spoken

  22. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Great clearance from Mcgoldrick

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

    McGoldrick clears SHU chance.

  24. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Great defending by Mcgoldrick

  25. mattyb09
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else actively rooting for a 1-0 SHU final?

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

      How dare you! 😀

    2. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      o/

    3. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

  26. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    SHU looking good for a goal

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

    Be surprised if West Ham don’t concede the way this has started!

  28. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone planning on WC25/BB26 activated WC yet ? or better to wait ?

  29. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Coufal You owe points cmon man

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

    Come on Cresswell!