Dugout Discussion

Possible formation change for Southampton with Ings in starting XI to face Chelsea

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has possibly changed formation going into Double Gameweek 25.

With Kyle-Walker Peters (£4.7m) sidelined for the Saints due to a hamstring injury picked up in Gameweek 24, the Austrian is without a senior right-back.

The solution appears to be a back three, which was trialled briefly in that GW24 defeat to Wolves when Mohammed Salisu (£4.3m) replaced Walker-Peters after 72 minutes.

Hasenhuttl hinted at a change of shape in the embargoed section of his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“If you have no players in one position, then it is always an option to think about a change of shape. This is not something that is too difficult to change quickly, especially when you have had a week to prepare.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl

The potential change of formation would also match Southampton up with Thomas Tuchel’s wing-back system.

Over 600,000 new owners of Danny Ings (£8.5m) will be hoping for immediate returns, irrespective of how the Saints set up. Hasenhuttl’s men also face Leeds on Tuesday in the second instalment of their Double Gameweek 25.

There was also a smattering of investment in Jannik Vestergaard (£4.7m) – who could be at the centre of that back three – and James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m), with both players starting.

It is also possible that Hasenhuttl’s preferred 4-2-2-2 formation remains, which could see Jan Bednarek (£4.9m) operate at right-back.

Che Adams (£5.8m) is once again on bench duty, while Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m) is not part of the matchday squad. Asked by BT if the Scotland midfielder is injured, Hasenhuttl replied:

Yes, a slight injury. Hopefully not too long. Again, was punished after two games in three days. A little bit [of an] issue with his muscle.

On Thursday, the Southampton manager had said of the club’s injury situation:

Kyle Walker-Peters is another who is out definitely for the game, for a few weeks maybe. Hopefully, there is nobody else [out apart from Walker-Peters, Theo Walcott and Ibrahima Diallo].

Tuchel, meanwhile, continues to keep faith with Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) at left wing-back as Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) is benched for the fourth time in five gameweeks.

Kurt Zouma (£5.4m) earns a rare start alongside Antonio Rudiger (£4.6m) and Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.7m), while Reece James (£5.0m) returns at right wing-back after missing out on the Gameweek 24 starting XI.

N’Golo Kante (£4.9m) is preferred to first-choice penalty taker Jorginho (£4.7m) in midfield.

“Right now we have three strong midfielders with [Mateo] Kovacic, Jorginho and Kante, which I’m absolutely happy [with].

“They are, in the moment, the core of our game and the core of our team with quality, mentality, organizing and the structure. I want to have minimum two of them on the pitch.” – Thomas Tuchel

Mason Mount (£6.8m) and Timo Werner (£9.2m) will rove behind striker Tammy Abraham (£7.2m), who overcomes a knock to start.

Edouard Mendy (£5.1m) is also back between the sticks for Chelsea. Tuchel stated this week that the Senegal goalkeeper remains first choice ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m), who started the 2-0 win against Newcastle in GW24.

Southampton XI (3-4-1-2): McCarthy; Salisu, Vestergaard, Bednarek; Bertrand, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo; Minamino; Ings, Redmond.

Chelsea XI (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Zouma, Rudiger, Azpilicueta; Alonso, Kante, Kovacic, Reece James; Werner, Mount; Abraham.

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1,042 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy one point more than I expected from this game tbf, so not a complete fail I guess

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

      Ings a disaster though

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

      He got the same as Meslier who actually scored an own goal...

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

        True

    3. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I played Martinez instead, worked against Pope the other week, hopefully plays out again here.

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

        Played Martinez ahead of McCarthy too - seems like right decision

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

          Think it will boil down to save points, think Leicester score at least 2

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

    Everyone who brought in Ings for the DGW: "I only brought him in for the SG against Leeds anyway"

    1. JammySprat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tis true

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Well no, I got him in because Leeds is a good enough fixture on its own and anything Vs Chelsea would be a bonus

      • Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No one says that...

      • Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I brought him in for his potential 3 DGWs in a row

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

      What I would say is it’s another VAR horror show v Saints.

      Two red card tackles in the first half, at least one of which should have been given. Totally different game then and those decisions not going our way

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

      FT: 1 - 1

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        3pts from 2 players, very happy with that. Onwards and upwards

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

          We move.

          1. fish&chips
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            We go again on Tuesday

          2. fish&chips
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Right decision, wrong outcome

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

              I fancy a portion of fish and chips now.

    5. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Everybody's favorite, the dreaded 1-1 draw.

    6. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You know what McCarthy.....never again. Your on the list...

    7. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anybody play McCarthy over Pope?

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        O/

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

        DGW fever 😀

      3. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Over Martinez

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

        Yes. Terrible decision and I knew it. Just those 2 games I really couldn’t resist haha. Deserve it

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

        Yes but have Lowton, actually no over Martinez even

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

        Yes but ceiling higher with 2 games, always worth the risk playing the double player

    8. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DGWs are overrated

      1. Gross Blank Point
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        They change how people play. It's very easy to get carried away and think every DGW player will play both games and return in each.
        It never works that way. Took me a long time to see that and still find it difficult to pick a good SGW player over a rubbish DGW one lol

    9. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings fully fit and some confidence for Southampton before the Leeds game is perfect. Hoping for a goal fest now

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

      Bam + Raphinha to Madisson + Brewster next week to have 11 DGWers. Back to 3 5 2 with no bench headaches! Will see when to use BB but not going to make sacrifices to my team just for that chip!

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Too early to ditch the Leeds pair. They were both unlucky last night.

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

          I will play one of Bamford and Raphinha moving forward. The question is who scores more:

          A) Bamford
          B) Raphinha
          C) Maddison

          1. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I'm sticking with Bamford, and benching Raphinha.

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

      Ings to Kane done 🙂

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm waiting to see if Kane plays tomorrow first.

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

          Same

    12. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      14 from 5 including my captain, at least I can bench four of those five next GW.

    13. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Meslier winning goal in a 1-0 and Ings assist.

      Great start to the double.

    14. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea have to be the worst team in the league at converting chances to big chances and big chances to goals. It's absolutely pathetic in the final third.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Brighton, Sheff Utd, and Fulham are worse.

        Brighton, in particular. Some of the chances Maupay, Connolly and Trossard miss are a joke.

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Brighton could possibly challenge them the attacking way they've been playing, but Sheffield and Fulham aren't anywhere near this conversation. Chelsea are having 70% possession every game and putting constant pressure on defences without creating anything at all. SO many simple final passes hit too hard, SO many crosses blindly missing players in the box, and SO many bad first touches in the box.

    15. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Playing this game for years but never really understood EO. So if a player you own is under 100 you can move up rankings?

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

        Assuming that the other managers on scores around you are those having under 100%, then yes. The distribution of EO is not linear across the the whole spectrum of 8 million managers.

      2. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It doesn't go against you, but even if it's less than 100%, but still very high, around 90%, you effectively don't go anywhere in the rankings.

      3. fish&chips
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes basically. Just x the EO % by the number of points the player gets and that gives you the points that everyone else in the game gets on average for that player.

        So if you own a player who has 80% EO and they score 10 points, everyone else on the field will score on average 8 points so you'll move up by 2 points

    16. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I like Hassenhuttl but his team is ridiculously streaky. They went from top of the league at one point earlier in the season to setting a club record for consecutive defeats. Strange, but entertaining.

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

        Injuries will do that.

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        They just had a dip in form. They were pretty consistently good for a year

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

      I owned Mccarthy for that pen save last season. Oh memories.

    18. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This already feels like a GW of blanks, rotation and Grealish and Gundo no show.

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

        Why no Grealish?

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

          Heavily rumoured he’s injured

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

            OK thanks. That would be especially lucky for me as I took him out, but I didn't have a clue!

    19. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      McCarthy and Bamford owners- would you take McCarthy pen save from Bamford on Tuesday?

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

        Yes - capped Ings

    20. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Which option?l for dgw26 and beyond

      A. Dallas > Targett free transfer
      B. Dallas & Bamford > Rudiger & Watkins -4

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

        A

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

      Perfect result as a non owner for both sides.

    22. Custard Gannet
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      13 points from 5 players, including captain.
      I have a bad feeling about this week...

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

        Still 10/11 players to go though, right?

        1. Custard Gannet
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I know. But you have to have the early knee-jerk negativity to make the upcoming points that much better.
          That's FF, right?

      2. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Beating you 14 from 5 including captain doesn't make me feel any better about the GW so far !

    23. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      WBA are probably going to score in the 5th minute, so might as well log off early.

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

        Do what I do bet on a WBA goal.

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

      12 points with 11 left to play! Not bad actually.

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

        It's all gravy, isn't it? Only the (C) being a major letdown, with massive EO on that anyway.

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

          Exactly. The points till now have been a bonus. Owing to his EO Bamford doing well or not does not change anything if you captained him. I don't know why people are crying so much!

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

      Week from hell so far, a West Brom goal and Salah haul later might be too much to take

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

        Who made you Kaptain? 😀

        1. RedLightning
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          This isn't the real Fudgy. It's Kaptain Kane.

      2. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You must be permanently in hell with the number of weeks from hell you have.....

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

          Wildcard was meant to be the saving grace ticket to heaven, looks to have plunged me further into the depths of hell

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

            Now you know how we feel

          2. Bennerman
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Not melodramatic at all, as usual

        2. fish&chips
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Lol

      3. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I've got Martinez, Gundo, Stones, and Watkins on my bench this could go horribly wrong.

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

          Nicely setup for BB

          1. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Shame I couldn't play WC and BB in same GW.

      4. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Well done, got a few there judging by the comments.

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

          I wish I was joking

    26. Wicked Weapon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Could really use Mee doing what Lowton did last week

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

        Conceding to Fulham?

    27. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tuchel confirmed in interview he took off CHO because he wasn't happy with his pressing

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

        Wasn't happy with his attitude. That is a bit damning.

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

          it was a bold move for sure

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

      Tuchel on the CHO substistuon:

      https://twitter.com/ChelseaSwe/status/1363135916655730692?s=19

      "I was not happy with his body language or the attitude of the press".

      Oof!

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

        We're not seeing CHO start again for a while...That's pretty brutal and to say it after the game to the press as well.

        I've heard Tuchel is a great tactician but damn if that isn't harsh and dare I say it, poor man management.

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

          Well he also said something about how it's forgotten tomorrow and he may play in the next game.

          He's trying to send a message, not quit on him.

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

            Yeah exactly. People over-reacting. He obviously likes Callum as he's played him loads since becoming manager.

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

          That's doesn't really mean that. Lots of games coming up. Callum will play a part, if he responds to the criticism well (which he has done before).

      2. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Soon players will throw him under bus

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

        Tuchel just needs to be on bad books of Werner and Havertz now before he is kicked out. Probably wont matter if he cant Chelsea in top 4. Abramovich is way too impatient even with todays fast paced standards

    29. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lesson then is trust Ben Crellin. Hero!

    30. ppv
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish out for a while most likely

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

        Source?

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

          Villa facebook sites. a couple of regular posters.No reason to
          BS. One claims he knows his dad. Jack's a local lad.Would be very surprised if not injured. Shin flints from being kicked every match.He had same injury a couple of years ago

      2. HNI
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Well that would help with regret as Grealish to Raphina barely worked for -4