Dugout Discussion

Rodgers’ quotes on Perez and Maddison absences as Antonio misses out

There are notable absences on either side as high-flying West Ham United and Leicester City meet in east London this afternoon.

Kick off at the London Stadium is at 14:05 BST.

The non-availability of Michail Antonio (£6.6m) had been heavily signposted in David Moyes’ pre-match press conference, with the striker missing as expected today.

His place in the Hammers’ attack is taken by Jarrod Bowen (£5.9m), with the hosts otherwise unchanged from the 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and still without the sidelined Declan Rice (£4.7m).

As for Leicester, Brendan Rodgers has made two changes to the side that started last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat by Manchester City.

Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) and Dennis Praet (£5.2m) are recalled, with Marc Albrighton(£5.2m) and Ayoze Perez (£6.0m) making way.

Perez isn’t in the matchday squad and neither is James Maddison (£7.2m), with unconfirmed rumours alleging that the pair – along with Hamza Choudhury (£4.6m) – are absent for disciplinary reasons.

Rodgers poured more fuel onto that fire ahead of kick-off when guaranteeing their availability for next weekend’s FA Cup semi-final:

They’re not available for this game, but after this game, they’ll be fine. They’ll join the group next week and be ready for next week’s semi-final.

Two of the three most-bought players of Gameweek 31 feature in this match, with Jesse Lingard (£6.4m) and Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.9m) both heavily transferred in ahead of Friday’s deadline.


West Ham United XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell, Soucek, Noble, Fornals, Lingard, Masuaku, Bowen.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Amartey, Evans, Fofana, Pereira, Tielemans, Ndidi, Castagne, Praet, Iheanacho, Vardy.


GAMEWEEK 31 SO FAR…

Nick Pope (£5.5m) was absent from the Burnley squad on Sunday as the Clarets made it six matches without a clean sheet when succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United.

Sean Dyche said of the England international:

We don’t think it’s too serious. He’s just not made today.

The partnership between budget forwards Chris Wood (£6.3m) and Matej Vydra (£4.8m) continues to reap points in Fantasy Premier League, with the former assisting the latter for the game’s opener.

Wood has five FPL attacking returns in his last four outings, with Vydra registering three goals and an assist in his five most-recent appearances.

Newcastle were, as they so often have been without their first-choice attack, ineffective until the second-half introduction of the fit-again Callum Wilson (£6.5m) and Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m).

It was the Frenchman who turned the game on its head, first teeing up wing-back Jacob Murphy (£4.9m) for the equaliser before grabbing the winner with a fine solo goal.

1,144 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wtf??

  2. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sometimes a change does you good...
    playing with freedom and a smile

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

      Bowen did none of this when I owned him.

  3. Brehmeren
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I literally have no idea why I don't own Lingard.
    I do own Pereira though, who has earned me a total of 6 points in the last 7 games.

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thought you meant Mathias for a minute and was about to congratulate!

      1. Brehmeren
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        If only!

    2. Mario Balofail
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I am surprised too. In my case, it is because I hate him. It is like owning Diego Costa. You hate that guy but he scores a lot

      1. Brehmeren
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        That is actually exactly why I haven't gotten him in. Even as a West Ham supporter, I can't stand the guy.
        (Obviously happy by his impact on the club)

        1. Mario Balofail
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Good for you then :). I support Man United, so literally pis*ed off by his performance on loan

          1. Brehmeren
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Haha, well at least you're going to make some money on him this summer.

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

      Same - have him pencilled in for Gundo gw33. That's one transfer that could/should have been executed earlier, rather than Cancelo to Azpi

  4. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is not having a Chelsea defender, TAA and Lingard reason enough to Wildcard?

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure why Chelsea defense is a must?

  5. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Everyone getting Dallas and Watkins off the bench, I’m getting Fofana. This gameweek has been a real kick in the nuts!

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

      Can't beat me having dawson OG off the bench for Bale

    2. Sz21
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rough-
      1. 29 points (none coming on) on my bench. Watk/Dallas/Bam.
      2. Sold Lingard this week for Jota.
      3. 25-4. 21 points currently.

  6. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Season over as a non lingard owner

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

      Thought an expert like yourself would have JLingz.

      Disappointed.

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

      I am the Season Over bot.

      Fudgy's season has been over a total of 367 times this season.

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

      Same here

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

    The only difference in the Lingard 2nd being onside vs the Liverpool and Wolves disallowed goals is where the man operating the VAR has decided to draw the lines, there is no clear yes or no as the refs on TV keep saying its completely subjective, so effectively serves no purpose apart from ruling out perfectly fine goals.

    Its a matter of frame choice and mm its not a yes or no straight forward decision as they keep trying to justify it being

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He was on to the naked eye.

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

        so was Jota

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Agree.

          The technology isn't so precise.

          Just saying West Ham wasn't close.

  8. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Iheanacho 🙂

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Done nothing.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably has a higher xG than Lingard this game

  9. jammie26
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dallas, Watkins and martinez coming off bench happy days.

  10. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    West Ham in Champions League as it stands. Absolute scenes!

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Any Arsenal fan who still backs Arteta needs help.

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        But he worked with pep so he must be good....

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          He may be good one day. But we’re in 11th with Auba, Partey, Saka, Odegaard, Gabriel.

          Moyes is taking West Ham in his first full season to the champions league.

          1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Maybe but I feel people are holding hope because he worked under pep. That’s literally the only thing which people are pulling to

            He has shown nothing tactic wise which makes me have faith

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

    Best 5.0 and under defender for upcoming weeks?

  12. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    this weeks choice was
    raphinha to
    saka
    lingard
    neto

    chose lingard ,suppose its just all luck in the end

    1. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      That's not luck it was the obvious choice.

  13. cigan
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Genuine question for everyone who sold Lingard - why?

    Would have been one of the first names in my WC draft alongside Kane & Salah. Insane form

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Did anyone actually sell him?

      1. Sz21
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yep- sold for Jota.
        I did sell before his haul last week if that makes it any better/worse. Regretted the move after the haul tbh. Moved early because of having just the exact amount of cash to get Salah in as well to captain.

        Rationale.
        Had my midfield for the run in set as-
        Son, Salah, Raphinha, Jota, Bruno.
        Didnt think the Lin could sustain his goal rate considering his XG level.
        A pathetic excuse one could argue when Linny is as good a finisher as there is atm.

        Now I ll have to consider getting him back.
        Would be fine except having 29 points on my bench and lots of poor scores which has compounded the misery atm.
        30k- 45k atm.

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can’t fit them all. I don’t have him but also can’t decide how to get him in?

      My midfield:
      Bruno, Kdb, Son, Mount, Jota

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

        Not buying him is different than having him in the team and getting rid innit

        Personally, I'd probably drop KDB out of these - but only if I had no other issues and deffo not for a hit

  14. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Predictions for top 4 end of the season?

    1.
    2.
    3.
    4.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      City
      United
      Chelsea
      Liverpool

      1. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        As a Chelsea fan I'd love this but West Ham are looking so strong

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Man City
      Man United
      Chelsea
      Spurs/West Ham

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1 is city

      If Spurs beat United then the next 3 are a lottery 8 points will separate 6 teams

      If United avoid defeat they should have a spot wrapped up and the rest is a lottery, West Ham seem the most in form though so probably favs as it stands for one spot

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

      City
      United
      Chelsea
      Liverpool

  15. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    And I thought I could wait a moment without Lingard since Leicester was supposed to be able to defend and Rice and Antonio are injured 🙁 Still with green arrow though.

  16. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Saiss or Coady?

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

      Saiss takes the odd direct free kick so would use the extra .1 on that.

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He is also a greater goal-treat from set pieces. Thx

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

    Do you know the one good thing about being OR 1,664,056 and out of the running of every mini league you're in?

    Not having a player like Lingard in your team really doesn't bother you. Because, ultimately, his points won't make or break your season.

    Every cloud, etc...

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

      More time to plan next season...

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

        Aye, already mentally checked out of this season.

  18. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Vardy show now

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      God I hope so

  19. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I own Lingard and delighted with his points to date. But he reminds of when Josh King went on his hot streak three or four seasons ago.

    He isn't *that* good a player. If he was, he would have torn it up at Man Utd under at least one of Ferguson, Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho.

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

      The West ham move has clearly gave him new motivation.

      I feel sorry for the player who he's going to take the place of in the England squad.

    2. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe he's now playing in different system?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        If he was *that* good, the system would not be an issue. He is still playing an attacking midfield role.

        Did Gerrard become crap when he was playing right wing for Liverpool?

        1. Legendary!
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Are you comparing Gerrard in Liverpool and Lingard in West Ham?

          Why was all the debate about Lampard/Scholes/Gerrard in the England system? If the system doesnt matter why werent they all "shining"!?

        2. MrZ
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          System is more than just position change. It involves style of play (direct/possession, attacking wing/middle etc).

          Maybe, just maybe the west ham system now suits him more than united.

          Than again, even di maria was crap when playing for united

    3. Legendary!
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Do you actually watch football? Players work well within different systems and under different coaches and different teams. Even players who play the same role in the same team may be given different tactical instructions that may allow them flourish or flounder.

      I would say he's a decent player

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yes. And Grealish, Sancho, Foden are all better than Lingard.

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

    It must be torture for non Lingard owners watching this match. Im confident he can complete the hat-trick.

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

      They get to see if he is any good without Antonio

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

    Brought in lingard on my WC as a placeholder for son. Now I'm not sure what to do as I don't have the cash to do Neto to son.

    Anyone else in a similar situation?

  22. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    No Lingard on Scout picks, yeah really ?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ah jeez, really?

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

    Amartey off, Thomas on for Foxes.

    Ndidi YC

  24. jammie26
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    All lingard non owners need to go and take a long hard look in the mirror.

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

      Goal bowen

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

      I have.

      I feel fine.

      Thanks for your concern.

      I actually got him into my draft team this week. Does that count for you?

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ok captain hindsight

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

    Ricardo might get a -1 here.

    Albrighton inc

  26. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    3-0

  27. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    The Man in the Mirror poem..

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

    Bowen G
    Soucek A
    JLingz AA

    1. Ninja Škrtel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jlingz GG*

  29. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    That's the 3-0..now for Leicester to get 3 back

  30. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Should have got bowen