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. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    I never brag but this WC couldn't have gone better so far. After a bit disappointig (at least before that TAA goal!) yesterday I think that most of the WCers are quite satissfied.

    1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Vydra Kelechi gosh thx

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      whats ur team ?

    3. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      I'm satisfied. 57 with four to play.

    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Vardy, Sterling (c), no Salah, no Trent, Ihenacho on bench. Anything but satisfied.

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        Iheanacho on bench!?

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 12 days ago

          Setting up for BB next week. Yet again the BB chip costs mega points.

          1. WVA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 12 days ago

            I know how you feel, I wildcarded this week and set up for bench boost next week and it's already gone up in flames!

      2. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        Ah no luck then. But maybe next week will be better.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 12 days ago

          Not counting on it

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      The one player that has failed me is my captain punt on Sterling which has completely ruined my game week.

  2. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Iheanacho you beauty!!!!

  3. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Kelechi I love you

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      I bet you didn’t even get him a valentines card

      1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        🙁

  4. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Don’t own nacho but any points that take off West Ham’s defence is fine with me 🙂

    1. KAALI_DAAL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Cresswell is already subbed. And Coufal has a 5% ownership.

      Stop finding unreasonable comfort in not owning Nacho.

  5. Londongeezaa
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Yesterday, Dallas and Watkins bench points fail.

    Today Lingard (c) and Inny boy 🙂

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Those benched Dallas points though

  6. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Does Iheanacho cover Vardy?

  7. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Castagne assist?!

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      None? Big altering deflection.

  8. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    And used as horse food

    1. Isca Extremadura
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      What is it a stamina thing with West Ham ?
      Entertaining, but 3 weeks running ?

  9. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Nacho erasing my green arrow

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      After yesterday I dropped 100k.
      Lingard & Nacho have recovered it alone.

      Shame the auto-subs elsewhere see it drap about 25k.

  10. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Kelechi (c) let's goo. One more please

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      nice!

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Gutsy move-fair play!

  11. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Take that Lingard braggers. Nacho the rescue JUHUUUU

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Plenty have both.

      1. KAALI_DAAL
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        Define plenty? Nacho is already below 10%. Add in Lingard and the percentage goes way down. What you on mate?

        1. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 12 days ago

          He is talking about plenty in top 10K and around. 60% and 30% is not way down 10%. If you are talking about rank in millions, you can be happy 😉

          1. KAALI_DAAL
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 12 days ago

            You can check my rank, my team is linked. 🙂

      2. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        o/

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

      I think many have both

  12. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    NACHO & LINGZ OWNERS UNITE!

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Lovely afternoons work

  13. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Got 3 players with braces this week. Wow.

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Lings, nacho and ?

      Dallas or Pulisic ?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        Dallas

    2. 2's Kompany 3's M…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Yes, but like many, Dallas is on the bench. Beats me by miles though !

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        He comes on for me, amazingly

  14. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    JLingz & Nacho! Couldn't get any better!

  15. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Watch Iheanacho still be dropped next week

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      No chance, who will play ahead of him or even score goals? Vardy needs all the help in the world

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        Maddison and Perez back

        1. ZimZalabim
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 12 days ago

          so u drop the guy tht has scored 7 of ur last 10

          Yup makes sense...

        2. HaveYassineChikhaoui
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 12 days ago

          Rodgers has favoured a 3-5-2 without Barnes. It's not Maddison or Perez coming back that's the worry.

  16. HaveYassineChikhaoui
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Not sure why people went with Vardy, complete legacy pick, you only have to watch his goal involvement in the past few GWs to see that.

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Offside goal last week against City

    2. Hakchak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      I enjoyed his triple assist captaincy over Sheffield United

  17. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Nachooooooooo My boiiiii
    Unbelievable!!! My stream froze before his 2nd goal so missed the goal

  18. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Nacho nacho man, I want an Iheanacho man

  19. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Annoyed to have played Coufal (3 at back) and benched Nacho

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Wow.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Say what now?

  20. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Sqeeeeeeeeeky .....

  21. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Nacho & Coady on bench. Nice!

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Your fault mate this time

      1. JoeSoap
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        I pick my team so always going to my fault!

  22. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    What are Vardy owners doing? Do we go full template and drop him for ‘Nacho’? Give him another another shot next week first?

    (Rp - real lost on what to do with him)

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Unless you see Leicester getting penalties.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        Because that’s something you can predict.

        I didn’t even think he looked awful v City from what I saw. Close to a goal, was offside but could’ve stayed on and still got there

    2. Hakchak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Keep Vardy and double up. You got him for these fixtures

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Vardy’s playing with an injury, imo.

  23. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Nachos and melting cheese for me please :)))

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Yum yum 🙂

  24. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    On 57 points

    28k -> 14k so far a WC success even with a Steeling (c) fiasco

    Thanks JLings and Nachos

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Thank you

  25. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Iheanacho coming on for KDB, Shaw coming on for Christensen...

  26. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Nacho 1st on the bench - have to hope Laca doesn't play

    No idea who I make 1st sub next week - got to be one of Jota (lee), Nacho (WBA) or Laca (FUL)

  27. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Ah play another 10 mins.

  28. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Struijk+Bamford to Trent+Nacho worked out beautifully! Thank you to all those helped 🙂

  29. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    Ricardo should've gone down there. Would've been a pen.

  30. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 12 days ago

    I hope every remaining player plays so there are none of these ridiculously lucky Iheanacho autosubs

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Salty?

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        Only if he’s an autosub.

      2. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 12 days ago

        More like childish

    2. Hakchak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      Why would anyone not have played Iheanacho

    3. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 12 days ago

      In my team pal.