Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – Watford vs Chelsea

Gameweek 26 draws to a conclusion this evening as Watford welcome Chelsea to Vicarage Road.

Although the Hornets boast the league’s worst home defensive record, conceding 25 times in front of their own fans, the arrival of new manager Javi Gracia has hinted at an improvement at the back.

Watford have conceded just one goal in their subsequent two matches across all competitions, though on the downside, they have yet to find the net since the Spaniard was appointed.

But their previous lack of resilience bodes well for the visitors’ Eden Hazard tonight.

The Belgian has served up double-digits in each of his last two road trips, producing a total of three goals and 26 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points over visits to Arsenal and Brighton.

Indeed, with four of his five double-figure tallies delivered on the road, Hazard is the ninth top captaincy pick for Gameweek 26, handed the armband by 2.1% of FPL managers and nine of the top 100.

Hazard is joined in a front three by the fit-again Willian, who has collected three lots of 10+ points returns in his last five league starts.

Elsewhere for Antonio Conte’s side, new arrival Olivier Giroud could get the opportunity to play his way into contention among the mid-price frontman.

Costing 8.2 in FPL, the Frenchman is named on the bench in the continued absence of Alvaro Morata.

But the big team news involves Marcos Alonso, who misses his first game of the season for the Blues as a “precautionary” measure. His absence is a major blow, with the top scoring defender owned by over 1.5 million managers.

Victor Moses looks set to play on the left tonight, with Davide Zappacosta on the right and new signing Emerson named on the bench.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,583 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Yozzer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Conte your too good for that club . Go and manage the national team and make them great again.

    1. Planet Jo
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I hope you don't mean England.

      1. Yozzer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Ugh. I ain't no England fan. Italia I mean

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I would take him tbh. England could benefit from his knowledge of the 343. That formation suits us perfectly atm.

  2. aborg
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A nightmare gameweek for me ! Had Alonso and Jones, off the bench for just VVD and Mee 🙁
    Lingard, Son, Sterling, Walcott, Aguero(c), and Ayew all 2 or 3 points. Only Salah saved me from a total failure, but then again, everyone has him !!
    Total of 38 points -4 as I made 2 Transfers = 34 points. Now not leading my mini-league anymore and closest rival passed me by 26 points :((

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lots in the same boat

      1. aborg
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I guess so !

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I got 32 with Grob benched too !!

      1. aborg
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        ah also a bad one for you....and what was your score last week? I hope that this was just a flash in the pan... I am not intending the transfer any players for the coming gw as I need 2 FT for gw 28.

        1. romer
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Same here

  3. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Who's everyone captaining this week coming?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Salah. Will probably laminate the effing armband on him.

    2. Planet Jo
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Kun, with Hazard vc

      1. Patch
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Jeez just don't learn

    3. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Salah!

    4. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      The wrong player

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Lol. It's a tough one. Southampton are certainly conceding. Their CB's are slow too...!

    5. the snazzy viking
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Salah(c) locked in for at least another 2 weeks

    6. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Couldn't take another Salah haul and not having him captain.

    7. Yozzer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Salah c Kun Vc

  4. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Could actually be the end of Alonso if Conte goes. LB in a 4 would be a disaster!

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      could actually be even better, who knows he could be moved to a false 9 or winger position

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Worried about him either way frankly. That price tag with some fixtures turning tricky. Trouble is - no other defender has his level of threat unless Rose is injured for a while.

  5. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Only two defenders played for me this week ffs

    Only sub is Grob just to rub salt in the wounds!

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Shaqiri sitting on mine whilst Kenny comes in for a 0pt wonder. Horrid week.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Two here too with two each
      Got rid of Danilo too just for good measure.

  6. Rawslang
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Current team which I am now not that happy with:

    Courtois Elliott
    Alonso Mee Mawson Masuaku Otamendi
    Salah Shaqiri Sterling Lingard Son
    Wilson Aguero Firmino

    Thoughts on this WC:

    De Gea Elliott
    Alonso Mee Mawson VVD Lascelles
    Salah Shaqiri KDB Walcott Mili
    Wilson Kane Vardy

    Thanks

    1. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Downgrade Alonso to Azpi and get a good second keeper to cover blanks and DGWs.

      Would rather a WBA defender than Lascelles due to fixtures.

      No Sterling?

  7. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Bottomed

    Lingard to Shaqiri?
    Y or N

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I would but seeing how well Deulofeu played today, I'd definitely put him on your radar

      1. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      If it helps, Lingard gets one more week in my team, but only because of Newcastle.

    3. RIPAguero
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yes.

  8. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Keep Aguero and Firmino this week or find a way to make one Kane?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Make Aguero Kane

    2. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Don't ditch Firmino unless you plan to WC or use FH chip in 31

    3. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      keeping

      1. romer
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Kane and vardy

  9. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Should be a low safety score this week.

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Even if I somehow make it through with 37 I'm going to go out soon .

    2. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Care to guess a number?

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        68

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Depends on Hazard and Alonso autosubs mainly, it was 34 for other autosubs before tonight. Mid to high 30s at best.

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          So I was slightly off ? 😉

  10. Rik Waller
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Was I stupid or unlucky to bench Mili for Richarlison?

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Stupid to still own Richarlison 😉

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think it’s just unlucky that you’re so stupid.

      1. Rik Waller
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        haha brutal

      2. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        😀

      3. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        🙂

    3. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Richarlison was so long ago he feels like last season.

    4. Patch
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think you are stupid to think you are just unlucky

      Harsh, was just getting influenced by the posters above

    5. Rik Waller
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Gonna keep him anyway 🙂

  11. GE
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Sell Alonso?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      If Conte goes its tempting

    2. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Keep if fit for WBA then reassess.

      1. GE
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Will he be fit?

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      At this point I have no idea anymore. WBA at Stanford could be 0-4 at this point.

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        *Stamford

      2. GE
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Could actually happen 🙂

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Possibly - I'd give him the next match of course.

    5. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Nah, could see a rebound if Conte goes

  12. RESULT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    2ft
    Which 2 players need to go
    A. Alonso
    B. Vertongen
    C. Lingard
    D. Son
    E. Hazard

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Why 2? Why even 1, they're okay for this week?

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      D and maybe C

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Keep the spuds for now.

    4. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Son first.

    5. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Son I think. Wally has a good fixture next week and soon after that, Arsenal Mids.

  13. Monkey Hanger
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Only United with a CS this week. Should of been great for double their defence, but not to be thanks to Jones man flu.

    Has there been a week with no CS? I can't remember one.

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I do, couple of seasons ago. Loads of goals scored that weekend

    2. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No one knows any other Utd def other than Jones here. It's all about the bandwagon and template if you don't know that already

  14. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I don't recall there being only one clean sheet(or less) in the 10 premier league fixtures before? Anyone recall?

    1. Monkey Hanger
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Look above, Just asked this. 🙂

      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Think I was typing at the time!

    2. CloudSky
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      The last time was when Chelsea beat Everton 5:0 this season. How the tables have turned (not much for Everton).

      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Can't see that?

        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Hasn't happened this season-lots of other teams with clean sheets

  15. shearer9
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    How does one close a 130 point gap? Pick purely differentials and pray? Saving my WC for the DGWs which should help...

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Realistically too big a gap. Got to get all your captain calls right, and go for broke in some of the DGWs

    2. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Half differentials and better Captains could do the business

    3. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      130 is doable if you still have all the chips and use them right. Don't go overboard on differentials, as we've seen this week just picking the right captain can be a differential.

      I'd say a gap of 200 is probably the point where you want to be worrying at this stage.

      1. shearer9
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for your help.

  16. Deus
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Don’t panic!
    I got 33 points and not panicking

  17. romer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    How about a poll for next Chelsea coach? I'm thinking Joachim Low

    1. Deus
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He has world cup at the summer and can’t start on Tuesday

  18. I Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Foster
    Otamendi, Jones, Mee
    Salah, De Bruyne, Sterling, Shaqiri
    Kane, Firmino, Wilson

    Elliot; Maguire, Loftus-Cheek, Masuaku.

    1 FT 1.6 ITB

    Need to strengthen my bench this week with possible rotation for the teams with CL next midweek. Taking GW31 into consideration which move would you make first?

    A) Masuaku -> Bauer
    B) Loftus-Cheek -> Milivojevic

  19. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Courtois to fabianski
    Gomez to matip for a hit

    Yaay or naay

    1. CloudSky
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Give him WBA.

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I don't trust Chelsea anymore
        Didn't get united cs when most of them have ddg expecting to get atleast double Chelsea cs. Well Lol@me to even think that

    2. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      not sure....if want liverpool defender, go for cheaper robertson

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Is he nailed ?

    3. WVA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Not Matip

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Isn't he the only nailed defender?

        1. BananaNose Maldonado
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Didn't even start this week.

  20. Shardlow
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Any suggestions who to swap Masuaku to? Got 0.9m
    Cheers

    1. Deus
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Daniels, Mowson, Dawson

    2. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      think burnley and swansea defender get a noce fixture

    3. the snazzy viking
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mee

    4. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mee, Mawson, Fernandez, Daniels, Ake, now maybe Janmaat

    5. WVA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mawson is Awesome

  21. GXNG
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Are gw31 blanks rescheduled for gw34 or gw 37?

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      34 I'd imagine

  22. Man Chest Hair United
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Any news on christensen?

    Cant believe I still have him.

  23. Alonso The Great Midfielder
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    What to do this week?
    a)hazard to son/ramsey
    b)upgrade kenny/zeegalar/chilwell(only 0.4m left)
    c)downgrade courtouis

    1. WVA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Haz to Ramsey

      1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        reckon ramsey better pick than son ? against spurs and city?

    2. Monkey Hanger
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard in a team playing crap lying third highest pts scorer over last 4 GW's. Could be absolute gold if they get their shit together, or a new manager.

      1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        didnt watch the game, dont you think it is merely red card factor for the heavy defeat??

  24. klavan
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Lingard to Deulofeu kneejerk or not?

    1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      yeah....but worth a try

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He looked good tonight but doucoure was the heartbeat .

    3. Dr Dream
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yes....but Lingard has never felt a comfortable pick somehow.

  25. Hibbo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Pretty obvious Conte has wanted out of Chelsea.

    And he wants his payout from being sacked.

    I think some other clown at Chelsea has been signing these players although he singlehandedly fell out with every influential player in the dressing room himself.

    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Marina Granovskaia

  26. WVA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    G2G for next gw?

    Pickford
    Alonso Monreal Jones Mawson Robertson
    Salah Shaqiri
    Kane Aguero(c) Vardy
    Coleman GroB Doucoure Milivojevic

  27. Big Mac 24
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Lowton a regular starter for Burnley now he's bck on the radar?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Could be, we'll find out when Bard's is fit.

  28. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Gomez courtois Schindler
    Who goes first?
    Is Huddersfield defence worth trusting?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Huddersfield won't keep too many clean sheets.

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        So Schindler goes right ?

        1. Patch
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Schindler will prob miss midweek game so he shud be nailed for the weekend...

          Less about CS...just whether nailed or not

        2. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah would think so.

  29. SAY MY NAME
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    mikhi or ramsey?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mkhi for me but Rambo's a great option too assuming Wenger has any sense left

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        might go Rambo to save the cash , but can see Mikhi being useful

  30. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Rough with the smooth will be highly amusing this week