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

    Should’ve got rid of Digne for Tarkowski and not Cresswell. Silly mistake. I blame.... double gameweek fever. That and myself. Not you guys since I make my own decisions. 😉

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

      if you don't own Digne then you don't understand FPL, so fair enough

    2. Pooodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That Everton performance was massively unexpected to be fair (even if selling Cresswell was a risk)

  2. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Happy that I sold Soucek now so that whatever happens at least I’ve not benched the bugger

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

    I absolutely cannot wait to get Soucek out of my team next game week, been awful to own. Massive point hauls on my bench and nothing whenever I play him.

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

      Sounds like it might not be entirely his fault

    2. Pooodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah sometimes it's better saving yourself the hassle and just not having them! Though I'm getting Raphinha in for him which might lead to the same issues...!

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not enough benches for Soucek for him to haul today unfortunately: https://i.imgur.com/xwtTCiv.png

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

    Cresswell to the moon!

  5. Pooodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Really pleased with my bench boost this week.

    Thanks Mendy and Antonio.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tuchel Tombola, the gift that keeps on giving.

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

        It's crazy - they suddenly have rediscovered their defensive solidity and then he changes GK?!

        I've had Mendy for ages and it's been a disaster but the lure of one final appearance from him this week with such a good fixture was enough to make me BB before WC next week and I get rewarded with this...!

    2. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well to be fair Antonio was flagged

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

        Yeah that's true - I'm just disappointed with Antonio but angry about Mendy!

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

    From a quick count. I wildcarded in GW21.

    Comparing the pre wildcard team to what I’ve done since. It’s cost me 85 points.

    I could be top 10k had I given up on football at Christmas haha

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

      Ouch.

  7. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I hate this season. Worst ever

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

    Since GW15 when I brought in Coufal he’s gotten 35 pts. Cresswell has got 62. This season man...

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

      Would be happy to get even thise 6 pts tbh.

  9. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Fudgy Pro Pundit article set for 3pm on Friday!

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

      Would love for this to not be fake news

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

      He's still about 150k!

    3. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Oh no, would it be a full whinge article?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        The dark side of a bench boost...

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

      Would kill for this, seriously

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        When are you gonna WC and BB mate?

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

          Hello Super Saints, I actually have no idea - was looking earlier and I think the fact I have all chips left has made it more difficult for me!

          You?

          1. WVA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Hi mate, wanted to BB this week but Antonio and DCL flags persuaded me not too, worked out ok so far. Think I will WC 25 and BB 26 if I can make it work!

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

              Exactly the same happened to me, and it cost me a lot! But no regrets, it wasn’t worth the risk with the flags, just typical.
              That seems the obvious plan but want TC Kane in 26 I think!

              1. WVA
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                I'm not sure spurs are playing well enough to trust him with the TC at the moment.

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

                  Maybe, just love how he’s nailed for the 180 mins, plus very good double potentially

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

          I think I need the 26 fixtures to plan with conviction, then I’ll know

  10. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No....
    Mendy
    Chilwell
    James
    Zouma
    Ziyech
    Pulisic
    Kante

    Injured
    Silva
    Havertz

    What’s this guy up to??

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Something right, 8th to 4th if he wins tonight.

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Up to 4th if they win

      • Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Plays a Wilson less Newcastle
        Could probably play the U18s in defence

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

      Need West Ham clean sheet wiped out asap

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This ffs

    4. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can’t believe Mee being forced to miss the second game, what a blow for just deciding to go for him over a different Burnley defender...

      Antonio missing this prime fixture sucks as well. Hopefully Gundogan doesn’t miss Everton, but at least he got points already...

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

        Gundo probably misses. Can't see Pep risking him with a tight groin, would make absolutely no sense if that's the case with his injury

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

        it's a killer like. Gundo out of training at the moment so I doubt he is rushed back.

        1st OR has Mee captain.. gotta sting when Lowton is sitting pretty next to him.

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

      Rather annoying that I've tripled up on the hammers for a while now and not had Cresswell all season.

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

        Same

      2. GinjaWhinja
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He’s an absolute bonus magnet. Completely underrated

    6. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Flappy earning his points.

    7. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you could go back in time would you have bought GME or Cresswell?

      1. In Bale We Trust
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Doge. The answer is always doge...

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

        Bought him in GW 9. Wish I'd bought GME in GW 9.

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

      Two very big mistakes on my Xmas Wildcard, moving Cresswell to Coufal and dropping Justin. Should have also picked up Martinez. These 3 players upset me every time they return

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

        Justin no longer issue

    9. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It’s always “the other one”!

      Justice for Coufal owners!

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

        Incoming G Soucek A Coufal...

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

          That would be absolutely glorious but my luck doesn’t go like that!

      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hit the bar a few weeks ago as well IIRC!

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

          Sounds about right!

    10. EWH2020
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I just want to WC this week to get Cresswell. Kills me every week. Really hope the GW26 fixtures land nicely

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

        He’s got some stinky fixtures coming up. Can’t see his bps output being the same.

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

      Coufal coming on for Antonio. Hopefully they keep this clean sheet

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        90th minute Brewster goal

    12. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not owned Aaron Cresswell this season. Can't explain why.

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Can't have them all

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

        because he always felt just a bit too expensive

    13. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mitchell likely to feature now after that PVA howler? Also will Pieters keep his place in the Burnley team?

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

      If you had to pick a Chelsea defender and hold, whom would it be? I have Alsono but in no way am I sure he starts more than half the time.

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

        Rudiger

      2. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Rudiger. Dirt cheap for almost guaranteed cleanies and nailed. Additionally, other CHE defenders not looking like getting attacking returns on a regular.

    15. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Any chance DCL misses the MCI game? I have Konsa waving at me from the bench.

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

        Chance yes, but I'm sure they'll want him back ASAP after that horror performance vs. Fulham.

    16. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      TC Gundo or Kane in DGW26?

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

        kane

    17. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek only gets pts when he stays routed to your bench!

    18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      coufal misses a sitter

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

      Coufal's such a troll

    20. MissouriMarten
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Coufal blows the one in one!

    21. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nooooo Coufal you agahah whyyyy

    22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      coufal one on one, bad miss