FPL press conference thread 16/17

[eastcentral1]

Mannone back in training, hopes to be fit for the Hull game. Pickfords time up?

https://mobile.twitter.com/SkySports_Ke ... 7572002817

I reckon he might just keep the place now, but methinks it's definitely soon time to get in a rotater. The Hull game would be a bloomin' inconvenient time for it to happen if it does!

The sentiment on the Sunderland forums was turning against Pickford last week, not because he's played poorly, but just to take him out of the firing line a bit and protect him from blame.

Earlier on, it was probably 60/40 in Pickford's favour over Mannone, it's probably 70/30 now in Mannones favour. Obviously the fans don't make the call, but I could understand it certainly.

Pickford hasn't done anything wrong, but he's not doing a Heaton impression either.

I thought he was pretty poor in the Arsenal game. Not necessarily for the goals, but in the first half in particular he made a couple of blunders (unconvincing stops pushing the ball back into play, no command of his box). Add to that he made at least one high profile blunder in his first couple of outings, leading to a goal. I don't see him keeping his place.

[Mr Clarinet]

Pep on Sagna, Delph, Kompany... and Yaya!

[Multiple Scorgasms]

Nothing further on wally then

[scarletjim]

Nothing further on wally then

I just don't understand why everyone is shipping him so heavily. From what we know he seems 50/50 to play on Sunday, and if he doesn't, it's hardly the worst fixture to miss. Then we have a 2 week break, after which he'll have one possibly difficult game (though with Man U at the moment it might not be...) then some good ones again. He is playing for a team that is scoring well, he has got a really good number of points himself, he is getting in the box, and he's pretty cheap compared to other 'big team' midfield options who are scoring well. I can only assume either that people are doubling up on Coutinho and Firmino, or that they are restructuring to get Hazard or KdB in. Being a Spurs fan, I really hope Walcott doesn't play or get anything on Sunday, but if we win in a game where he plays and scores I'll be very happy.

[SuperGrover]

Nothing further on wally then

I just don't understand why everyone is shipping him so heavily. From what we know he seems 50/50 to play on Sunday, and if he doesn't, it's hardly the worst fixture to miss. Then we have a 2 week break, after which he'll have one possibly difficult game (though with Man U at the moment it might not be...) then some good ones again. He is playing for a team that is scoring well, he has got a really good number of points himself, he is getting in the box, and he's pretty cheap compared to other 'big team' midfield options who are scoring well. I can only assume either that people are doubling up on Coutinho and Firmino, or that they are restructuring to get Hazard or KdB in. Being a Spurs fan, I really hope Walcott doesn't play or get anything on Sunday, but if we win in a game where he plays and scores I'll be very happy.

The question is does he keep his place? If Giroud/Ramsey come back in the fold it's likely Walcott gets the boot. Not saying it happens, but I thin that uncertainty plus the injury is causing the mass shipment.

[scarletjim]

Aha that makes a bit more sense. Would be a shame as he's been FPL gold this season (though of course he has famously teased us like that in many seasons previously...)

[SuperGrover]

Aha that makes a bit more sense. Would be a shame as he's been FPL gold this season (though of course he has famously teased us like that in many seasons previously...)

I have a huge spot in my heart for Walcott for various reasons (picked up in GW 38 2 years for his hat trick...won my league as a result). I just don't know if Wegner sees him as an every week starter. Now, if he continues to keep Giroud on the bench he should be fine, but it's uncertain that will happen. It might though.

[Mr Clarinet]

I have a huge spot in my heart for Walcott for various reasons (picked up in GW 38 2 years for his hat trick...won my league as a result). I just don't know if Wegner sees him as an every week starter. Now, if he continues to keep Giroud on the bench he should be fine, but it's uncertain that will happen. It might though.

Doesn't that really depend on how Wenger sees Sanchez's role? If Sanchez is his preferred main "striker", it's hard to see a starting role for Giroud, easier to fit in Walcott. If Giroud is going to be his starting striker, it's much harder for Walcott. But I thought Wenger preferred the former...

[man3]

There is space for all of them. Sahcez and Wallcot on sides, Ozil central, Giroud striker...

[SuperGrover]

There is space for all of them. Sahcez and Wallcot on sides, Ozil central, Giroud striker...

You forget Ramsey.

[Hotpot]

There is space for all of them. Sahcez and Wallcot on sides, Ozil central, Giroud striker...

You forget Ramsey.

Ramsey plays a lot as one of the two holding mids in front of the back four.

As things stand, if Giroud gets back in the team and I don't think he will, I think man3's line up above will be the front 4.

On current form Walcott is a safe bet.

[math!]

There is space for all of them. Sahcez and Wallcot on sides, Ozil central, Giroud striker...

You forget Ramsey.

Ramsey will be in the 2 I think. If anyone misses out it's Iwobi/Ox.

[pottster]

On current form Walcott is a safe bet.

As safe as an injury prone player who missed the last game with an injury can be

[Finisher1]

There is space for all of them. Sahcez and Wallcot on sides, Ozil central, Giroud striker...

You forget Ramsey.

Ramsey will be in the 2 I think. If anyone misses out it's Iwobi/Ox.

I also think (match fit) Walcott is quite nailed even if Giroud starts because he has been on fire recently and Wenger has really talked him up. If Giroud starts, it's then Sanchez and Walcott in the flanks and Ramsey playing deeper. But Walcott might be subbed off early in some games, just like Iwobi recently.

I don't know about Tottenham game though, I have a gut feeling Walcott might not be match fit.

[Sutter Kane]

I don't know about Tottenham game though, I have a gut feeling Walcott might not be match fit.

By match fit I assume you mean he won't be able to play 90 minutes which may be the case? He hasn't been out for that long and apparently has been training this week so I'd have though his fitness won't be an issue; in fact I'd say if he passes the fitness test, he'll be as fresh as he could be, given he's had a small break.

[Finisher1]

I don't know about Tottenham game though, I have a gut feeling Walcott might not be match fit.

By match fit I assume you mean he won't be able to play 90 minutes which may be the case? He hasn't been out for that long and apparently has been training this week so I'd have though his fitness won't be an issue; in fact I'd say if he passes the fitness test, he'll be as fresh as he could be, given he's had a small break.

Maybe so, but these are always hard to predict when manager has not really assured he will play.

[SuperGrover]

There is space for all of them. Sahcez and Wallcot on sides, Ozil central, Giroud striker...

You forget Ramsey.

Ramsey will be in the 2 I think. If anyone misses out it's Iwobi/Ox.

I also think (match fit) Walcott is quite nailed even if Giroud starts because he has been on fire recently and Wenger has really talked him up. If Giroud starts, it's then Sanchez and Walcott in the flanks and Ramsey playing deeper. But Walcott might be subbed off early in some games, just like Iwobi recently.

I don't know about Tottenham game though, I have a gut feeling Walcott might not be match fit.

Maybe. But then you are exceptionally weak defensively in CM. Cazorla is better in that area than Ramsey. Further, Ramsey has started in front (or along with) Walcott over the past three seasons. Wegner really likes Ramsey.

Time will tell but there certainly is potential for Walcott to lose his place. I am guessing that is contributing to his sales.

[Calvin1979]

BBC Live Text reporting that all Chelsea players, including Costa, are fit for the Boro game.

[eastcentral1]

Chelsea FC ‏@ChelseaFC hour ago

Antonio Conte: 'All my players are available this weekend.' #CFC

[BobMem]

Armband to Hazard (no Lukaku).

[TheoRiginal]

Pep said thst those who played 90 minutes and/or had to come back from South America would be tired (although all were fit), and next sentence said that he had a 23 man squad and he was going to need to use them all in the coming weeks.

So it looks like Aguero will start, and Stones, Kolarov, Gundogan, Silva, Sterling and De Bruyne may not...Have I missed anyone out?

[Finisher1]

"fantasyfootballscout ‏@FFScout 48m48 minutes ago
Conte admits he will need to check on the condition of 1 or 2 players ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Man City https://goo.gl/FDGngR

fantasyfootballscout ‏@FFScout 46m46 minutes ago
Conte refuses to name the Chelsea players who need to be assessed https://goo.gl/sr1EEy"

Any idea who these players are?

[Bolt]

Any idea who these players are?

Costa & Hazard.

[ChrisD]

Cue picture of someone in a hospital waiting area/on a beach, sparking mass panic..

[The Username]

Its Costa and or Hazard if he wouldn't say.

[Striker]

Its Costa and or Hazard if he wouldn't say.

I have absolutely no reason to doubt you, but am interested in your reasoning.

[theplayer]

Well Costa and Hazard were in training today and look fine to me so I doubt it's them.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... diola.html

[snakzz]

Considering my luck this season its Alonso..

[jacksosi]

Considering my luck this season its Alonso..

Yeah, or based on mine Azpi and Alonso have collided and are both out

[Paulista]

So who's missing from the photos? Moses, Kante, Matic, and Courtois seem to be the four missing from the recent starting XI's.