Dugout Discussion

The reason for Grealish’s absence as Mitrovic is recalled for Villa v Fulham

Having returned to full training over the March international break, Jack Grealish (£7.5m) was expected to make a playing comeback for Aston Villa’s clash with Fulham this afternoon.

The Villa talisman is absent from the hosts’ matchday squad, however, with Dean Smith reporting that the England international pulled up in training on Saturday.

The Villa boss said:

He’s trained this week and was looking really good but he had some discomfort yesterday and pulled out after 10 minutes in training. We erred on the side of caution as we must do. He was all up for playing [until then].

The hosts will be looking to improve on their sub-per record without Grealish: they have scored on just three occasions in the six matches he has missed.

Smith makes one change to the side that started the 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Anwar El Ghazi (£5.3m) comes in for Trezeguet (£5.2m) in the Villa head coach’s only tweak to his starting XI.

Scott Parker has made four alterations to the side that started the Cottagers’ defeat to Leeds United a fortnight ago.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£5.5m) is the most notable name among the quartet of returnees, with Josh Maja (£5.5m) dropping to the bench.

Parker said of the Serb’s recall:

His form for his country has played a big part. The last game in terms of selection [in Gameweek 29], it was nip and tuck, really, he came off the back of very good work, training-wise. Well deserves his chance.

Bobby Decordova-Reid (£5.3m), Kenny Tete (£4.3m) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.9m) are also additions to the line-up, with Antonee Robinson (£4.4m), Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.3m) and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (£4.5m) dropping to the bench.


Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Sanson, Traore, Watkins, El Ghazi

Fulham XI: Areola, Tete, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Aina, Reed, Lemina, Reid, Loftus-Cheek, Lookman, Mitrovic.

710 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    2-1 United here Pogba x2 pls

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Both assisted by Bruno

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        No, Bruno can have a yellow card though.

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bruno brace assisted by Shaw would be better!

  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Last Man Standing Update (258 teams)

    Current safety score with autosubs = 42
    Top score = 63
    LMS average = 44.93 (-0.39) = 44.54
    Captains played = 92.64%

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

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

    Anyone looking at madison on wildcard - alongside one of the Leicester strikers?

    Thanks

    1. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yep, going that route with Nacho...for now atleast

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Between him and Mount for my 4th mid

  4. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Need another Shaw masterclass.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Please

  5. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    ESR in a 3-4-3 or Davis in a 3-5-2?

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      ESR 3-4-3, but currently flagged - better fixtures

  6. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I'm sure it has been asked but you can't search on the chat. Is Rob Holding now a good option on a wildcard?

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

      Depends on how long Luiz is out - wait for Arteta's updates in pressers. If it's long term he should be a fantastic option.

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I'm only really bothered about the next 2 weeks.

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

          Should be fine then.

  7. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So despite owning him, according to livefpl's what if calculator, every point Bruno scores sends my rank down. I really hate owning a player but hoping they fail.

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      His ownership is only 104 so it really doesn’t make a huge difference

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

        This, plus depends on teams specifically around you too.

  8. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I look forward to everyone using their second wildcard buying players they would never consider if they were not on a wildcard.

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

      Can't believe I'm buying Salah either

  9. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Goal and assist off Shaw will make a lovely companion with my Millionaire chocolate cheesecake...

  10. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    thoughts about Vardy on WC?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Poor man’s Iheanacho

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not great form of late. Was considering him for Bamford but will stick with Bamford for now, benching for City game.

  11. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I somehow managed to lose 1 point on my Auba to Son move

    And now Auba has a much better fixture next gw.

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I sold Bale for So

      Dumb & Dumber

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Son*

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son fairly rested after injury, not great form but better than Auba. I felt sorry for him trying to track Trent last night. Even was thinking Arteta was trying to punish him. Off form and looks wrecked and not motivated.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He plays for Arsenal and already got paid. No surprise...

  12. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hoping for a Bruno red card evem though I have him in my team.
    Strange.

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

      Would certainly make the WC more fun

  13. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Worst GW ever. Only 1 out of 5 defenders played. And the CS of that solo defender wiped off by a Mings defensive masterpiece.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I feel hard done by Sanchez and Mings taking my Reg and Emi points...

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Bad mistakes both. Out of 5 def and 1 GK in my team, only Konsa and Martinez featured. You know the rest!

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          That sucks

  14. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Rp

    Is this worth -4?

    Raph Tierney ➡ Jota Philips

    Assuming Tierney out

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

  15. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bale cameo blocked 21 points from Pereira
    Anyone worst ?
    Is it painful to my heart, like my girlfriend is cheated on me

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ouch that's fpl for you.

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just 1 defender played. And his CS wiped off by Mings.

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don’t think that’s beatable on the bench venom stakes.

    4. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      that bale situation is even more painful compared to that of your girlfriend.

      1. Releasebreaks
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Only chance to to get that points is no show from DCL, but not going to happen

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

      Not sure if worse or not but my moves this week involved selling Pereira and buying Rudiger for a -4

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ouchie

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

          Kane (C) has helped recover it somewhat, need DCL to go big to really recover it though

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I was hoping son would stay off, never was going to happen..

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

              Yeah, I was surprised he came on at HT with them being 2-1 up.
              Felt like he may as well of started lol

      2. Releasebreaks
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        But maybe you woudnt start him anyway

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

          He would have come on for Gundogan ultimately

  16. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Benching Antonio didn’t feel good at deadline; feeling much worse after fails from Reg, Dallas, Son. I suspect this is not going to go well for me.

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

      Reckon Wolves will have a solid end to the season, with hopefully Kilman central to it

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hope so, I decided Lingard was enough.

  17. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On a WC, rest all players same.

    A) Pereira Coady Rudiger
    Bruno Gundogan
    Vardy

    B) Amartey Shaw Phillips
    Salah KdB
    Iheanacho

    Which one seems better?

  18. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Rudiger now on Tuchel's naughty step. The game doesn't get any easier.

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Did Tuchel say anything?

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

      Rudiger is fine, normal arguments in training happen all the time - by all accounts it's water under the bridge and won't affect Tuchel's selections going forward.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      After he watches the match back, Zouma will be the one on the naughty step

  19. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC, wainting for advices

    Mendy (button)
    taa diaz coady (rudiger mitchell)
    Son bruno salah jota neto
    Kane iheanacho davis

    1. Neto or odegard
    2. Taa to philips and upgrade?

    * no other chips
    * 0.4 itb

  20. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which City midfielder/attacker best captain material against Leeds?

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

      Sterling

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

      KdB

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

        None of them, unless you have a crystal ball and see who will start - no man city player is worth a captain pick for the remainder of this season, apart from aguero last day of the season

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

          KdB nearly always starts

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            His performances are class but his FPL returns look way off last's seasons heights.

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

              Lack of penalties, which in itself is quite surprising seeing as how often City are in the opponent’s box.

              He did well vs Southampton at home so recent indicators are good

              1. GreennRed
                • 12 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                His through ball yesterday was a work of art. 🙂

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

                  Oh yes, no points for it is an injustice

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

              Thankfully previous FPL points aren't the best indicator of future FPL points

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

            Take a look at City's schedule and let me know if you're still as confident on him starting

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

              Who would play ‘the KdB role’ though? BSilva?

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dependant on Dortmund scoreline all City players are rotation risks bar Ederson. So I wouldn't captain any without start certainty.

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

      Oh well at least it’s virtually certain he’ll be back in the XI after conceding 5 to WBA!

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He should feature. Especially after that Zouma performance.

  21. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A nice GK rotation on WC I haven't seen a lot is Leno & Sanchez (9.5M)

    shu FUL shu new WBA WHU cry BHA

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rotating keepers isn’t really a thing anymore

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Why not?

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          In short, it doesn’t work. Often the highest scores from gks are not the predictable matches. You invariably bench hauls despite best plans. Also requires investing funds from rest of squad and strategy is 2x as susceptible to injury.

        2. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          For me it's one less benching headache but more common early in the season. Plenty of cheaper players doing well now could give you a decent bench over the fodder bench you had before Christmas. Fixtures though look less predictable than previous seasons and are for team results, not cleansheets.

      2. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        That's not really up for you to decide, is it?

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          It’s not so much a decision as an observation. As much as I’d like to take credit, it’s a widely held belief.

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

            There's 8 GWs left mate, not like there's a clear winner if you you don't mind the 0.5 extra.

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Don't ask the question if you don't want to at least listen to the opinion of someone replying.

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

                What question? He didn't tell me his opinion, he presented it as one playing keeper is the best way to play as some sorts of facts 😀

                1. GreennRed
                  • 12 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  No, just an alternative view. Arsenal aren't keeping cleansheets and if Tierney is out it won't help, regardless of opposition. I'm prob gonna go Mendy and Forster with little intention of playing Forster but he's cheaper than chips. Sure the more options I have the more decisions I'll have to make, badly!

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

                    Saying it isn't a thing is quite arrogant when someone shares something just trying to be helpful. Don't know why you are replying for him anyway, are you guys close? 🙂

                    1. GreennRed
                      • 12 Years
                      2 years, 11 months ago

                      Yip. We're the Funk Goal Brothers.

                    2. The Suspended One
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 10 Years
                      2 years, 11 months ago

                      Arrogant, huh.. sorry you don’t like the suggestion that rotating keepers isn’t a widely used strategy anymore. Again, it’s not my opinion, it’s a general consensus widely heard by many pundits and players. I didn’t say it was against the rules or impossible that it works out. It’s just not really a thing anymore.

                      Let me clarify my feedback to say that you haven’t heard anything about that combination because nobody is really talking about any combinations, because rotating keepers isn’t really a thing anymore.

                      That’s a nice run of fixtures though.

                      Cheers

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

                        Cool beans, never asked for your opinion but you've made yourself very clear. Seen people planning to rotate Leno and Martinez so this was just a cheaper alternative. Never made a statement it's the best way to play.

                      2. GreennRed
                        • 12 Years
                        2 years, 11 months ago

                        Forget anyone's plans but your own. If you've a good keeper combo then go for it. I don't think Arsenal will turn cleansheets friendly after 0/9 just because their fixtures look OK. Not playing like they did last night anyway. I felt sorry for Aubameyang filling in at LB at times versus a hangry Trent.

                2. The Suspended One
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  Let’s put a pin in this and see if your combo out scores Emi, Mendy, Pope and Lloris over the next 8 weeks. Nothing like an experiment to test a theory.

                  1. GreennRed
                    • 12 Years
                    2 years, 11 months ago

                    It could well do, but deciding the gamweeks for optimum points is the tricky part.

                  2. Whazza
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    2 years, 11 months ago

                    Don't really care, it was just a post for someone who could appreciate it. If you must pick one keeper not 4 🙂 Or do I pick 4 pairs of rotating keepers?

                    1. The Suspended One
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 10 Years
                      2 years, 11 months ago

                      If the rotation is worth it, it should outscore the other available options. If forester out scores your pair, it wouldn’t really tell us anything, but if Mendy does, the fixtures and investment and injury exposure isn’t worth it.

            2. The Suspended One
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              And the extra transfer(s)

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

                Sorry what transfers? This was picks for the WC for the rest of the season

      3. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        depends the way you like to play really

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

      Many of the teams have something to play for so will likely score

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      looks good

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

      I have rotating keepers, Martinez and McCarthy.

      Thought Ralph had decided to do the rotating for me

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

        *Though *has

      2. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Luckily you had two playing keepers then 🙂

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

          I did do, and was with the long term plan of BBing.
          Of course McCarthy has now lost his spot it seems, so annoying!

      3. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ironically I have Martinez and Areola, left over from bb. Areola getting his first start next week.

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          The Filipino with the World Cup winners medal 🙂

  22. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Antonio or DCL on WC?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Antonio, even though DCL has a double sometime.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Do you want a beast or a donkey?

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        😀

  23. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez/areola
    dias stones awb cresswell lowton
    salah bruno gundo raphinha mount
    kane dcl watkins

    2ft 0 itb

    pretty happy with my team so dont want to do major changes.

    martinez to mendy and save?
    stones to christensen?

    thank you

  24. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    16 from 8.... never, and I do mean never was a towering slab head header needed

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

      Ouch that is rough, captain played?

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No Kane in your team?

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Haha yes, non cap

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

      Wtf

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    All I need is a Brighton 0-1 win with a Dunk header.

  26. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I’m screwed I got vletman and trossard

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Could sneak something

  27. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    No players. Sofa time.

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You’ll find me hiding there too

  28. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    0-0 with 3 BAPS for Dunk would be great.

  29. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Shaw ... you have caused me to shed tears ... I plucked for you over Azpi this week .... and it’s looking like a lose lose .... meh.

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Still up on the deal though.