Who To Bench Thread 2016/17

[Mav3rick]

Hmmm, which one to play from these 3:

Zaha (A v Arsenal) - exciting player but a very tough game
Holebas (H v Spurs) - CS very unlikely but does get assists sometimes
Amat (H v Bournemouth) - best fixture by far, but Swansea rarely keep a CS, and he has no attacking potential

(I'm not bothered that Amat might not play - if not, then it seems he probably won't figure at all, so then the next sub would come in).

Amat does have some potential in attacking terms, in fact he's got almost the exact same attacking stats as Lovren and has had (and missed) 2 big chances (which is good number of big chances for a centre back) Obviously we're talking headers from corners rather than 40 yard screamers, but he's not an entirely blunt instrument.

Aha ok, I'd never noticed that when watching him. But is it enough to play him above Holebas and Zaha? Going to be a tight decision between the 3 of them...

Well, the odds of a defender goal are probably what 5% at best? I'd not let that sway you at all, I was just surprised that he has actually had some good chances, and if you add on van Der Horn's attempts too the Swansea central defenders are actually quite (wastefully) effective.

[scarletjim]

Swansea CS looks almost impossible, and Holebas creates a lot more chances. It's Zaha to play, Holebas 1st sub, Amat 2nd sub, done, over and out.

[blahblah]

Swansea CS looks almost impossible

For posterity

[yttod1010]

Play 3 from rose alonso ake holebas Evans

Currently rose alonso Evans

[Paulista]

Yep Rose, Alonso, Evans looks good to me.

[dean1980]

Play 3 from Alonso, McCauley, Lovren, Gibson

Or play all 4 and bench Defoe

[Paulista]

Bench one from Alonso (tot), Jones (whu), Pieters (WAT), Nyom (HUL).

Too risky to bench Jones? The bookies odds has Alonso as by far the lowest chance of a clean sheet.

[CarlosTheFinger]

I benched Alonso in favour of Nyom. More chance of a Nyom clean sheet than him getting attacking points or keeping a clean for me.

[Joccki_10]

I'm currently playing Brunt and Alonso and benching Pieters, but Alonso could be first sub tomorrow morning.

[PokerGod1900]

Bench one:

Jones (whm)
Carroll (MUN)
Pieters (WAT)
Alonso (tot)

Opinions appreciated! Struggling with this one. Currently leaning towards Jones although the bookies odds suggest not...

[19Yorke]

Play Pieters (WAT) or Holebas (sto)?

[19Yorke]

Bench one:

Jones (whm)
Carroll (MUN)
Pieters (WAT)
Alonso (tot)

Opinions appreciated! Struggling with this one. Currently leaning towards Jones although the bookies odds suggest not...

Could probably flip a coin on this one. Maybe bench Carroll?

[jacksosi]

I have Azpi and Alonso, but don't expect a CS v Spurs.
Therefore I'm playing Alonso for possible attacking returns, and benching Azpi for Holebas (stk).
Feels wrong, but I still have CHE cover on the CS just in case...

[Scottoffee]

I have Azpi and Alonso, but don't expect a CS v Spurs.
Therefore I'm playing Alonso for possible attacking returns, and benching Azpi for Holebas (stk).
Feels wrong, but I still have CHE cover on the CS just in case...

Similarly dont want to go with 2 Chelsea defensive players, so dropping Courtois for Hennessey but really on the fence about playing Azpi or not...

Need to bench one of;

Azpi (Spurs A) or Valencia (WHU A)

[dean1980]

Bench one of Alonso, McCauley, Gibson, Lovren, Defoe ?

[Weisenwolf]

Tough week for my defence; need to bench one of these....

Baines home to City
Brunt away to Spurs
Ake away to Hull

Ordinarily Ake is for the bench but he's got a better chance of a CS than the other two surely?

They all have some attacking threat

Didn't have any of these annoying decision when I had Amat & Kingsley

[Weisenwolf]

Bench one of Alonso, McCauley, Gibson, Lovren, Defoe ?

Bench Lovren; I can't see him getting much against united

Unless you were asking about last week

Or rather this week

Well you know what I mean...

[tarkens]

Tough week for my defence; need to bench one of these....

Baines home to City
Brunt away to Spurs
Ake away to Hull

Ordinarily Ake is for the bench but he's got a better chance of a CS than the other two surely?

They all have some attacking threat

Didn't have any of these annoying decision when I had Amat & Kingsley

I'd bench Brunt and wouldn't even think twice about it

[Weisenwolf]

Tough week for my defence; need to bench one of these....

Baines home to City
Brunt away to Spurs
Ake away to Hull

Ordinarily Ake is for the bench but he's got a better chance of a CS than the other two surely?

They all have some attacking threat

Didn't have any of these annoying decision when I had Amat & Kingsley

I'd bench Brunt and wouldn't even think twice about it

Yea he's going to struggle at the Lane for sure.

[dean1980]

Bench one of Alonso, McCauley, Gibson, Lovren, Defoe ?

Bench Lovren; I can't see him getting much against united

Unless you were asking about last week

Or rather this week

Well you know what I mean...

Yeah I meant last week and ended up benching Defoe Hoping for a Haz or Alonso no show tonight but can't see it somehow

[Joccki_10]

Diomande (BOU) or Phillips (tot)?

[Weisenwolf]

Diomande (BOU) or Phillips (tot)?

I would play Phillips, it's unlikely Diomande will get more than 1 or 2 points, he's scored twice all season, no assists either. Phillips has a goal & 3 assists in the last two games

[Joccki_10]

Diomande (BOU) or Phillips (tot)?

I would play Phillips, it's unlikely Diomande will get more than 1 or 2 points, he's scored twice all season, no assists either. Phillips has a goal & 3 assists in the last two games

True, but in this case I'd like to consider the fixtures too. Bournemouth could concede three goals in every game, whilst Spurs have a very tight defence especially at home.

I saw Egersdorff (the new leader in the HoF) owns Diomande as well and I'm very curious if he is going to play him or not.

[yttod1010]

Alonso ake holecrap rose Evans

Need to bench 2

Lalana or Phillips

[Ruth_NZ]

I usually know what I want to do but not sure this week.

I have to play one of Barnes, Mee, Phillips. With Southampton having had a big game on Wednesday and Burnley having had a full week to prepare I'm kind of favouring the Burnley pair above Phillips @ Spurs. At the moment I have Mee in my team, I think the chances of a Burnley shut-out at Turf Moor are pretty fair. What would others do?

[Gambit]

I usually know what I want to do but not sure this week.

I have to play one of Barnes, Mee, Phillips. With Southampton having had a big game on Wednesday and Burnley having had a full week to prepare I'm kind of favouring the Burnley pair above Phillips @ Spurs. At the moment I have Mee in my team, I think the chances of a Burnley shut-out at Turf Moor are pretty fair. What would others do?

Southampton have failed to score in three of their last four away games, and like you say they have had a big game midweek. I think Burnley look one of the favourites this week for a clean sheet, Mee would be my choice too and he also matches Heaton who will be in a lot of teams this week. Is Barnes sure to start?

[Weisenwolf]

I usually know what I want to do but not sure this week.

I have to play one of Barnes, Mee, Phillips. With Southampton having had a big game on Wednesday and Burnley having had a full week to prepare I'm kind of favouring the Burnley pair above Phillips @ Spurs. At the moment I have Mee in my team, I think the chances of a Burnley shut-out at Turf Moor are pretty fair. What would others do?

Phillips hasn't got anything from the games against the 'big' teams and a blank from Alli, Eriksen & co seems unlikely. Southampton are no great strike force and Burnley are solid at home, if we ignore GW1 (always a good idea) only Arsenal & City have beaten them on the Moor so I think that's probably the correct call.

[Ruth_NZ]

Is Barnes sure to start?

I think so.

[Gambit]

Is Barnes sure to start?

I think so.

Burnley are around 12/5 for the clean sheet, Barnes around 7/2 to score, so bookies think the clean sheet is more likely, although you still have assists/bonus points to consider and always a chance Mee could get an attacking return.

I'd still favour Mee and I think the chance to cancel a Heaton clean sheet could be valuable.

[Ruth_NZ]

Cheers both. I did have the Heaton CS thing in mind and I think it's a good added extra. RMT has Mee and Phillips with very similar eP so I have settled on Mee. Thanks.