634x258 Dugout Discussion
23 December 2013 4978 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

An all-London affair at the Emirates brings the curtain down on Gameweek 17 this evening. Plenty of Fantasy favourites are on show as the Gunners look for the win that would extend their lead to four points over the chasing pack:

For the hosts, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil are the main protagonists for Fantasy managers, whilst Theo Walcott will be looking to maintain the form that saw him score twice at the Etihad last weekend.

Jose Mourinho’s side roll up on the back of a poor form of form on the road. The Blues have been beaten in three of their last four away games in all competitions but know that a victory will draw them level with the Gunners on 36 points. Eden Hazard will be desperate to have his say before Fantasy managers turn our attentions to the Gameweek 18 fixtures on Boxing Day.

The team news sees the hosts make four changes from the side that lost 6-3 at City last time around. Kieran Gibbs and Thomas Vermaelen are drafted in for Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny at the back, with the Frenchman sidelined due to a knee wound. Mikel Arteta partners Aaron Ramsey in the double-pivot, with Mathieu Flamini dropping out, whilst Tomas Rosicky gets the nod on the left, replacing the suspended Jack Wilshere. Lukas Podolski warms the Gunners bench along with the likes of Santi Cazorla.

The Blues make three alterations from the XI that edged past Palace. Gary Cahill replaces David Luiz in defence, whilst John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard are drafted into midfield – Michael Essien drops out through suspension while Juan Mata takes his place on the bench, allowing Ramires to move onto the right of the attacking midfield three. Oscar, Andre Schurrle and Samuel Eto’o are also amongst the subs, with Fernando Torres leading the line again.

Once again, we’ve opened the Dugout Discussion chatroom for those partial to some real-time reaction.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Oy lads. Whats up, ranks not updated yet? Pleased with 15 from Per, Ozil and Hazard. 75 pts, not bad but I've seen a lot on here with 15-20-25 pts higher.

    Open Controls
    1. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Errr, I haven't. 🙂

      Open Controls
      1. DonTheSpecialOne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        What, some guy earlier posted that he would hit 100, many said 85-90.

        Open Controls
    2. Podge
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      The ones you hear from on here are only the ones that did well 🙂

      Open Controls
      1. DonTheSpecialOne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        True that, but I usually post when someone ask what everyone scored even if it's bad or not.

        Open Controls
    3. BeachBadger
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I left Mert on the bench 🙁 76 myself but should have been more. Lousy Liverpool defence always concede a consolation

      Open Controls
      1. DonTheSpecialOne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        76 with Mert on The bench is a good score. Unlucky though!

        Open Controls
        1. BeachBadger
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Didnt stop the red arrow though 🙁 haha there's always next week

          Open Controls
          1. DonTheSpecialOne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Yes it is 🙂

            Open Controls
  2. Hay Number 2
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Right lads....I'm off to sleep.....only two sleeps till jolly old st nich breakers into our houses, steals our food and drinks my beer. Santa, if you are reading this, I'm onto you.....I had nothing off you last year, I will destroy you!

    Open Controls
  3. Reckoner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else have a bet with the Paddy Power refund draw offer tonight?

    They appear to have screwed up the refund in my favour...:shock: 🙂

    Open Controls
  4. rozzo
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Would you be happy playing mcgregor every week so you could afford mert or would getting sczesney and having chester as rotation fodder be a better idea?

    Open Controls
  5. Podge
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Weekly rank is updated

    Open Controls
  6. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    What the hell? 12 points tonight and my GW rank dropped?

    Open Controls
    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Auto subs and high Mert Ramsey Hazard ownership

      Open Controls
    2. Efan Ekoku Pops
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Good week for the casual players and their Chelsea/Arsenal defenders.

      Open Controls
  7. white lightning
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Finished on 84 after bp. What makes me more happy is the news that Welbeck will play this week. Also Clyne seems likely to play & Boruc if not this week then the week after. So all my injured players are back. I would be even more happy if when Baines returns this week Oviedo plays for Pienaar if Pienaar is ruled out although it seems unlikely.

    Mignolet, Boruc
    Jags, Mert, Terry, Clyne, Burner
    Ozil, Ramsey, Hazard, Cabaye, Oviedo
    Suarez (c), Welbeck, Remy

    Not used ft & 4.8 in itb.

    Question - is Coleman essential? If I get him this week it would be for Terry but Terry got a cs today & has Swansea at home next week. Coleman also odds on for a cs v Sun & has attacking threat.

    Open Controls
    1. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Coleman is essential, but very expensive now.

      Open Controls
  8. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I had 69 points after saturday, I ended with 79 🙁

    Open Controls
    1. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Not that bad, from what, 3 games?

      Open Controls
      1. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        4

        Open Controls
  9. Gravless wonder
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I took zero hits this GW...but used my wildcard! anyway quite pleased as pre-WC team would have scored 20pts less and left me adrift

    Open Controls
  10. Xavi Iniesta
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I don't get why Suarez is leading the captain poll.

    I know he's in stunning form but can people really see Liverpool scoring more than 1 goal at the Etihad? I can't.

    Open Controls
    1. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I do. 3-3 😎

      Open Controls
      1. Xavi Iniesta
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        City are a different animal at home though. If it was at Anfield I'd happily captain him.

        Walcott or Rooney for me.

        Open Controls
        1. TokyoRed 東京赤
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Check Hull's home record though - better than City's

          Open Controls
        2. DonTheSpecialOne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          True that, I had The Fulham game in my head, but that wasn't @ etihad. Conceded 3 against Arsenal hole though..

          Open Controls
    2. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I can

      Open Controls
    3. The Shadow
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Walcott got 2 last week so of course Suarez can.

      Open Controls
      1. Xavi Iniesta
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        I know. But Arsenal played suicide football, and poured forward. It was more like a basketball game. Liverpool will be far more cautious and look to catch City on the counter. Arsenal went blow for blow.

        I think it'll be 2-0 City. Hart to have a comfortable game.

        Open Controls
        1. copps
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          what's this based on?

          would you also say liverpool wouldnt score 3 goals away against such a solid defensive everton side, and 5 goals away at tottenham? yeah, 2-0 looks very likely.

          Open Controls
    4. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I could see Suarez scoring more than 1 goal at the Etihad on his own.

      Open Controls
      1. Xavi Iniesta
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Of course he's more than capable of doing it, I just can't see it happening

        Open Controls
  11. Cooper123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    If you include the ones I just made, that's 16 transfers in the last 8 gameweeks. I had such restraint until then too!

    Open Controls
  12. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Ouch...GW rank dropped by 250k from last night...ouch again...

    Open Controls
  13. Godfather Bandit 42
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Cabaye or Januzai?

    Open Controls
    1. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Cabaye for me

      Open Controls
      1. Godfather Bandit 42
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Don.

        Even though he's got Arsenal in GW 19?

        Open Controls
        1. DonTheSpecialOne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          I'm doing Sess -> Cabaye. Great form, Arsenal will be tough, but he's on pens, FK and some corners, especially with Barfa out of The team.

          Open Controls
          1. Godfather Bandit 42
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            I hear that. Thought he would have risen quicker in price. Probably get him in this GW then Janu before Sat.....or the other way round to catch Janu's price rise tonight.

            Open Controls
            1. DonTheSpecialOne
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              12 years, 1 month ago

              Surprised too, that's why I haven't done My transfer yet until after tonights game. Januzaj is looking decent, but so do Young these days, maybe a switch next game?

              Open Controls
              1. Godfather Bandit 42
                • 13 Years
                12 years, 1 month ago

                Shelvey>Cabaye.

                DONE!!!

                Open Controls
                1. DonTheSpecialOne
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 15 Years
                  12 years, 1 month ago

                  Sounds good to me!

                  Open Controls
    2. Marlen R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      This gameweek? In general?

      Open Controls
      1. Godfather Bandit 42
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Gonna replace Shelvey, Zaves.

        Open Controls
        1. Marlen R
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Cabaye then. Guaranteed starter and pure quality.

          Open Controls
          1. Godfather Bandit 42
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers Zaves.

            Open Controls
    3. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Cabaye

      Open Controls
      1. Godfather Bandit 42
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks Champ.

        Open Controls
  14. Marlen R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    So... Which to play:

    A) Whittingham vs Southhampton
    B) Redmond vs Fulham

    Thoughts?

    Open Controls
    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      A

      Open Controls
    2. Xavi Iniesta
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Tough to call but Whittingham edges it. On set pieces and penalties and Southamptons defence looks dodgy without key players

      Open Controls
      1. Marlen R
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Fair enough. If Ozil or Ramsey are rested, I might get Redmond in anyway.

        Open Controls
  15. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Choose 1:
    A) Januzaj IN Morrison OUT
    B) Mertesacker IN Jagielka OUT
    C) Any other transfer
    D) Save FT

    Current Team

    Krul (Marshall)
    Jagielka Coleman Ward (Chester Flanagan)
    Ramsey Ozil Hazard Silva (Morrison)
    Lukaku Negredo Suarez

    Open Controls
    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Januzaj

      Open Controls
  16. ppp
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Front lines:
    Ramsey Yaya Hazard Barkley Shelvey
    Lukaku Suarez Rooney

    Do:
    1. Shelvey to Silva
    2. Shelvey to Walcott
    3. Save, (and play barkley)?

    Cheers!

    Open Controls
    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      1

      Open Controls
    2. ppp
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Barkley to Walcott also possible (before Walcott) but strikes me as unwise...

      Open Controls
      1. ppp
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        (before walcott rises)

        Open Controls
    3. ppp
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Any other opinions on the walcott vs silva dilemma?

      How was walcott/arsenal today? Missed the game completely...

      Open Controls
  17. Hibbo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Love to make some mini steak n cheese pies tomorrow

    Open Controls
  18. Doar1986
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Silva or Nasri
    Nasri only 8.4m

    Open Controls
    1. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Silva, easily

      Open Controls
    2. ppp
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say definitely silva

      Open Controls
  19. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I thought the Russian money was the better team tonight and that does not bode well.

    Open Controls
    1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I like this song It reminds me of mince pies and gangsters.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALS92big4TY

      Open Controls
  20. gers23
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Team look ok for Thursday?

    Mignolet

    Burner Terry Coleman

    Ramsey Hazard Silva Whittingham

    Suarez(c) Rooney Lukaku

    Davis Chester Shaw Brady

    Open Controls
    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Yep. Good to go

      Open Controls
      1. gers23
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks 🙂

        Open Controls
  21. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Looking some advise. What's the best option?

    A) sess > cabaye (free)

    Or

    B) terry > Chester, sess > Walcott (-4)

    Rest of team is

    Szcz
    Coleman. Distin. Cube. Burner
    Haz. Ramsey. Yaya. Whitt
    Rooney. Suarez. Lukaku

    Open Controls
    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      *clyne. Using iPhone. Grrrr

      Open Controls
    2. JUNITED
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      A

      Open Controls
      1. JUNITED
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        DEF nowdays has big clean sheet chance. So don't take a hit just to get rid one of your expensive DEF. That in my opinion

        Open Controls
    3. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I'm making kebab out of Sess, so A.

      Open Controls
    4. Amateur Pundit Zan
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Depends when you intend to use your wc as walcott should pay it back over time but maybe not 3 weeks against cabaye decent form and fixtures.

      Open Controls
  22. JUNITED
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    a) Shelvey -> Cabaye

    b) Shelvey -> Januzaj

    c) Remy -> Adebayor

    d) Remy -> Lukaku

    e) Save FT since I want to keep my other players except those two (Remy and Shelvey)

    Open Controls
    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      A

      Open Controls
  23. mgilbert86
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    horrid week 61 plus hits

    i'm done with this

    buying who I want, regardless of hits

    Open Controls
    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Keep the head.

      Open Controls
      1. mgilbert86
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        all I do is spend my time putting out fires and ignore the original player I wanted to transfer in

        you have to buy who you want in this game and stop worrying so much about hits

        Open Controls
    2. Xavi Iniesta
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Hardly horrid, is it.

      Open Controls
    3. SammyPH
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Any takers for a completely fresh team, I'm thinking of wildcarding... Does anyone like Oscar after being under utilised....

      Open Controls
      1. Tiote on Peyote
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        You're going to Wildcard 2 weeks before January?

        Open Controls
  24. Amateur Pundit Zan
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Last call for help before hitting the confirm button today

    Marshal, 4m
    Terry, Ivan, Coleman, shaw, ward
    Silva, hazard, Ramsey, shelvey, Brady
    Suarez, Rooney, lukaku
    1ft 1.4m
    A) shelvey > cabaye
    B) ivan > Chester /4m, shelvey > Walcott (-4)
    C) Brady > Barkley
    D) Ivan > mert / 6.1m, Brady > cabaye (-4)

    Most likely to use my jan WC immediately so decision for next 3 GWs

    What would you do?

    Open Controls
    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      See above. I have the same dilemma as you.

      Open Controls
    2. JUNITED
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Can't you do Brady -> Cabaye?

      Or Brady -> Januzaj?

      Open Controls
      1. Amateur Pundit Zan
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        0.1 short Brady > cabaye
        I owned jan, way too frustrating for 5th Mf as got dropped at crucial times. Barkley looks a better option to me

        Open Controls
    3. The Shadow
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think a or b are necessary. Getting rid of Brady is necessary but don't think Ivan to Mert for a hit is necessary. So C then.

      Open Controls
      1. Amateur Pundit Zan
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks coach, aligns with my current preferred so c it is. Off to hit the button

        Open Controls
    4. Godfather Bandit 42
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      C....or A

      Open Controls
  25. BONZ
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    My Saturday GW rank was under 13k with 75 with 4 to play

    I ended the GW with 84 but GW rank of 253k altho a green arrow ends it all on a positive.....its getting tough to break into the top 100k tho 🙁

    Open Controls
    1. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      My GW rank on Saturday was roughly 120k with 60pts. Finish with 76 and come in the 634k mark still got a green arrow by going up 1k OR which is astonishing as I'm ranked 149k thought it was 3 reds in a row though

      Open Controls
  26. Michael Jordan - call me MJ
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Brady -> Barkley

    Free

    Yay or Nay?

    Open Controls
    1. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sell Brady, that feels good. How much money ITB and how's your mid looking?

      Open Controls
      1. Michael Jordan - call me MJ
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Midfield looking very shabby indeed

        Hazard Ramsey Brunt Shelvey Barkley

        2.4 in the bank

        Any suggestions?

        Open Controls
        1. DonTheSpecialOne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          I'd want One of Silva, Wally, Cabaye or Ozil, but that would be for a hit, probably not worth it.

          Open Controls
          1. DonTheSpecialOne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Barkley is a good transfer btw IMO, good fixtures.

            Open Controls
  27. BeachBadger
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    A red arrow with 76 points. Things are getting serious 🙁

    Open Controls
    1. Xavi Iniesta
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I feel so inferior when I come on here. I never compete it seems.

      Open Controls
  28. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    78 points & my OR only goes up 500 places 😯

    Open Controls
    1. Xavi Iniesta
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      What's your team Ron?

      Open Controls
      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        ID 81959

        It's linked too

        Open Controls
    2. BeachBadger
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I went down with 76 (

      Open Controls
      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        I see that.

        Tough season 🙁

        Open Controls
  29. michudagawd
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Howard - Lewis
    Terry - Santon - Chico - Brown - Chester
    Walcott - Ramsey - Oscar - Sessegnon - Ravel
    Suarez - Negredo - Lukaku

    1 FT, 3.2 in the bank.

    Team in a bit of a mess, I think a hit is unavoidable if I want to have a good Boxing Day gameweek. Any thoughts/opinions on what I should do?

    Open Controls
  30. Amateur Pundit Zan
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Gah 5 red arrows in a row. Only dropped from 10k to 18k over that period so not a disaster but I am concerned it is starting to impact team morale

    Open Controls
    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      😆

      Open Controls