Scout Picks – Gameweek Twenty-One
Filed under: Scout Picks - Posted by: Sir Paulos
We’re back in the seat again after a weekend of FA Cup action last time round. The Scout Selection committee has a couple of new members, too, with Jonty and Stilicho now helping us shape each gameweek’s first XI. Perhaps surprisingly, there are no Man City in this week’s picks, as we heavily back the red side of Manchester instead:
Despite the loss of Steven Taylor, Newcastle’s defence seem to have returned to their resilient ways of late. Alan Pardew’s side have chalked up 3 clean sheets in their last five fixtures, including the previous gameweek’s 3-0 win over Man United. Tim Krul comes into the Scout Picks, then, and with a strong home fixture against QPR on the agenda, the Magpies will be looking to spoil Mark Hughes’ debut bow at the Sports Direct Arena.
Michael Dawson made an immediate impact on his return to league action last Wednesday. Although Benoit Assou-Ekotto hogged the headlines, Dawson’s display at the heart of Tottenham’s back-four helped them chalk up a clean sheet and also earned the centre-half a bonus point. With Harry Redknapp’s side conceding a mere 5 goals since the end of gameweek 11, they look a good bet to repel Wolves at the Lane tomorrow.
Martin Skrtel takes his place in the Scout Picks for the first time this term. The big centre-half has proved an integral part of the Liverpool back-four this season and supplemented this with an attacking threat which has seen him net twice already. With a goal, assist and 5 bonus points in his last five fixtures, Skrtel could benefit at both ends of the pitch as Stoke make their way to Anfield.
With Sir Alex Ferguson admitting this morning he has doubts over both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, in addition to Rio Ferdinand’s stomach bug revelation via twitter, we make out way down the list of available centre-halves to Jonny Evans. The Irishman has recovered from a calf problem and seems set to figure against Bolton tomorrow, as the injuries rack up once again for the champions. With 4 clean sheets in his last five starts, Evans, at 4.5, offers a cut-price route into the United back-line ahead of the Trotters’ visit.
The inclusion of Gareth Bale is a no-brainer. Top-scoring midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) rankings so far with 117 points, the Welshman has averaged 9 points per game over his last six home appearances. With Wolves having failed to keep a clean sheet since gameweek 3, Bale’s attacking potential looks particularly enticing.
A trip to Blackburn Rovers brings Clint Dempsey into the Scout Picks. Fulham arrive at Ewood Park on the back of a three-match unbeaten league run, with a draw at Chelsea and a home win over Arsenal amongst their recent results. Dempsey’s goal potential was highlighted only last weekend, as the American bagged a hat-trick in the FA Cup win over Charlton. With Steve Kean’s strugglers yet to pick up a clean sheet, Dempsey looks the most likely to benefit.
We’ve plumped for Antonio Valencia as our Man United midfielder of choice ahead of tomorrow’s home showdown with Bolton. While Nani offers more explosive returns, Valencia has proved the more consistent of the pair, scoring or assisting in five of his last seven fixtures. Averaging 6.8 ppg since returning to the first XI back in gameweek 14, Valencia will be looking for more of the same as United look to draw level with City at the top of the table.
While he’s been a disappointment on the road this season, Juan Mata tends to rise to the occasion when Chelsea play at home. The Spaniard has scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists at the Bridge, compared to a return of just 2 assists away. A home clash with a revitalised Sunderland will be anything but straightforward but we’re backing Mata to produce the goods and leave the Black Cats empty-handed.
Once again, we call on Robin Van Persie to lead the line. The Arsenal skipper was given the week off to recharge his batteries while Thierry Henry stole the headlines in the FA Cup win over Leeds. With 7 goals in his last six away matches, Van Persie represents the strongest test so far to Swansea’s outstanding home record- Michel Vorm will have to be at his very best to deny the Dutchman his first goal of the calendar year.
It’s been a while since we gave Wayne Rooney a chance in the Scout Picks. The United man struggled for form over the autumn period but seems to have entered one of his scoring streaks again, with 4 goals in his last four league starts supplemented by a brace in the 3-2 FA Cup win over City. With United failing to fire at Newcastle last time round, the home clash against Bolton affords Rooney the perfect opportunity to rack up more goals once again.
Yakubu gets the nod for the final place. It was a close-run thing between the Blackburn man and fellow-Nigerian Peter Odemwingie but Yakubu just edges it for us. With 3 goals in his last four games, including a brace at Old Trafford, “The Yak” will need to replicate the sort of form that has seen him bag 12 goals already this season as Fulham make their way to Ewood Park.
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Sir Paulos @ffscout_paulos
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January 14 at 12:20 am
Hecko says:
What do people think of this WC
Krul/Vorm
Simpson/NTaylor/BAE/McAuley/Ward
Gerrard/Carrick/Bale/Ramsey/McLean
Rooney/Aguero/Sturridge
January 14 at 12:32 am
ch33kych4ppy says:
Very nice
January 14 at 10:17 am
widie says:
Who’s best skipper this wkd?
Rvp, Bale, Nani, sturridge, ade?
January 14 at 12:23 am
Cowshed - Jordan Rhodes is not for sale. says:
I notice McAuley is no longer flagged, that could be a blessing.
January 14 at 12:27 am
DanValkar says:
Hoolahan its the best i could buy with my expensive forward line
January 14 at 12:30 am
ch33kych4ppy says:
oh i see what you mean thats what happens when you blow your budget up front i suppose
January 14 at 12:27 am
ch33kych4ppy says:
Hi please help
Team A or B
A
Lindegaard(Mignolet)
Evans JClichy(caulker)Jose Enrique(Simpson)
Bale Dempsey Gerrard(c) Nani (moses)
Adebayor Yakubu Van Persie
B
Lindegaard(Mignolet)
Evans JClichy(Kelly)Jose Enrique(Simpson)
Bale Dempsey Gerrard(c) Nani (Ben Arfa)
Adebayor Yakubu Van Persie
A or B Please Help???
January 14 at 12:31 am
DanValkar says:
B team
January 14 at 12:34 am
ch33kych4ppy says:
do you think ben arfa or someone else?
January 14 at 12:37 am
DanValkar says:
i put Ben in my team instead of Hoolahan, i think he could either assist or score
January 14 at 12:31 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Dang can’t wait for tomorrows deadline, 15 of 18 teams in my ML are wildcarding!
January 14 at 12:32 am
daire74 says:
Ok im done messing around with everyone else on my team.
One thing that is killing me though, Silva for Nani or just leave Silva on. I have Valencia already… I just have this gut feeling this will be one of those Nani gameweeks…
January 14 at 12:32 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
If you have TonyV, leave Silva in for sure
January 14 at 12:33 am
ch33kych4ppy says:
Nani all the way for me why risk silva 50/50
January 14 at 12:36 am
DanValkar says:
take out Valencia and bring Nani, then change Silva too
January 14 at 12:42 am
daire74 says:
mixed opinions… my head is fried!
January 14 at 12:51 am
DanValkar says:
follow ur hunch i think, so Nani in
January 14 at 12:34 am
DanValkar says:
wdyt?
Vorn
Evans-AssouEkotto- TarlorR (Rangel-Warnock)
Bale-Dempsey-Valencia-BenAarfa (fergusson)
RVP-Rooney-Aguero
January 14 at 12:37 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
sober up man..
January 14 at 12:39 am
DanValkar says:
WC team
January 14 at 12:37 am
tomtrubadur says:
Looks nice up front! Downgrade Warnock and upgrade Ferguson maybe…
January 14 at 12:48 am
tomtrubadur says:
Gah! WHo to captain!
Dempsey – Bale – Silva – Nani
Aguero – RvP – Yakubu
January 14 at 12:50 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Aguero imo
January 14 at 12:52 am
DanValkar says:
Aguero or RVP, flip a coin
January 14 at 12:57 am
Nickyboy says:
I’d go for Bale *jinx-tastic*
January 14 at 12:56 am
temo says:
need one 4.9 or under defender for this GW only. Have simpson. Who to pick? Is it wise to play two New def. Who is is a def starter Santon or Williamsson?
January 14 at 12:59 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Evans?
January 14 at 1:00 am
daire74 says:
J Evans? 4.5 looking likely to play…
January 14 at 1:01 am
temo says:
already have 3 manu
January 14 at 1:04 am
Nickyboy says:
Kelly at Fulham maybe, though not 100% they will keep out the mighty Yak!
January 14 at 12:57 am
Nickyboy says:
Paddy Kenny as a rotation partner with Vorm, thoughts anyone? QPR not known for their clean sheets recently but new manager in town and the upcoming fixtures look nice…
January 14 at 12:59 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Not for me, need a whole new back four to get my attention
January 14 at 1:01 am
Nickyboy says:
Yeah… know what you mean, couldn’t buy a clean sheet recently, just noticed their fixtures this afternoon though and they look good and maybe Hughes will sort them out
With my budget that leaves me with a choice of Mignolet, Sorensen or Stockdale so will probably go Stockdale for now until Schwarzer makes it back, any thoughts on that?
January 14 at 1:03 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Hmm yeah that works, good home fixtures coming up.
I agree with you on the fixture part, though I’d be wary and wait a couple of weeks to see what Hughes is able to get out of his bunch – and on the transfer market, especially.
January 14 at 1:05 am
Nickyboy says:
Yeah, think that is wise probably, and as Kenny is cheaper than Stockdale (and I guess will remain so) can easily be switched later on, cheers
Kind of tempted by Lindegaard though as I mention below but then perhaps to get someone you know is going to start
January 14 at 1:06 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Yup I’m with you on that
January 14 at 1:02 am
Nickyboy says:
I spose there is Lindegaard too, will he play though?
January 14 at 1:04 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Nah I’m not sold on Lindy, just not tempted having a constant doubtful player in my squad
January 14 at 1:04 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Plus their fixtures stiffen up after this week
January 14 at 1:06 am
Nickyboy says:
On the same wavelength I see
January 14 at 1:07 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Nothing better than that
January 14 at 1:24 am
Nickyboy says:
haha
after all that I’m thinking Sorensen is the best bet maybe, looked into his fixtures more and he rotates pretty well with Vorm and there is only one real horror week up until 10 March when it gets a bit sh*tty again
goodnight peeps
January 14 at 1:03 am
smash says:
Is there a way to tell if someone in your mini league has played the wildcard? – like would it still say 14 in the ‘Gameweek transfers’ section if they made 14 changes this week?
January 14 at 1:05 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
Nope, it would say “Active” next to the Wildcard bar under the transfers
January 14 at 1:08 am
smash says:
Ahhh I see? looks like most people in my league are holding out then
thanks.
January 14 at 1:09 am
Chris_White (Ballur) says:
15 out of the 18 teams in my ML are currently active on their WC’s, gonna be an exciting lunch-break tomorrow
January 14 at 1:53 am
DaveTGarrett says:
ive got nani but with gerrard returning is it worth putting him in? they’re both 10.5. any opinions?
January 14 at 9:30 am
Galwayred says:
I wanted Gerrard and Dempsey and the only way for it to happen was to get rid of Nani so I took the risk because he’s hit and miss and united have a few big games coming up.
January 14 at 1:53 am
James says:
Okay, I’ve just clicked captain Nani, vc RvP. I also have Bale, Silva on my team.. This week was one of the most fun so far because I know I’m using my wildcard soon so I’m taking punts not worried about the future and I really have a dilemma choosing a captain haha not auto Rooney like the start of the season or auto RvP a few weeks ago!!
January 14 at 2:00 am
mlmc123 says:
nani dempsey rvp bale who to captain currently nani c bale vc but keep swpapping between the two arghhh help pl;z
January 14 at 3:43 am
mactrader says:
Just pulled my wildcard, what do you guys think for the upcoming GW?
Stockdale (Vorm)
Shotton/Simpson/BAE
Walters/Dempsey/Bale/Silva
Aguero(V)/RVP(C)/Yak
Bench: Pilkington, Cahill, McAuley
Have .1 in the bank, any last minute changes?
January 14 at 9:32 am
Galwayred says:
Evans for Shotton maybe or used replace McAuley.
January 14 at 4:18 am
nadman89 says:
just a question the wildcard we can use til the end of the season or just till the end of jan
January 14 at 4:38 am
jordanmw94 says:
Wow.. that’s pretty much the team I already had! Except I feel Simpson will perform better than Skrtel.
January 14 at 5:50 am
bananarama says:
vorm hennessey
enrique simpson BAE evans wilkinson
bale silva mata donovan dyer
adebayor rvp helguson
any suggestions?
thinking of (A)
donovan > valencia/ dempsey (this week)
and
adebayor > aguero (next week)
or (B)
dyer > dempsey
any thoughts?
thanks in advance.
January 14 at 9:33 am
Galwayred says:
Get Dempsey in he’s on fire and Fulham have a good run in for the next month.
January 14 at 6:10 am
Tizzee says:
Hi all. If u like a challenge join my head-to-head league. The code is: 2405051-566799.
January 14 at 6:29 am
StGeorge says:
Not confident at all today ervius as top of my mini league!
January 14 at 7:42 am
unitednations says:
need help peeps to save my season:)
howard westwood
shotton bardsley jones walker clark
nani bale walters benarfa osman
sturridge rvp adebayor
have 1ft but willing to make two this week…
how can i improve this team for the next weeks as i will use my wildcard at the end of the month.
January 14 at 8:16 am
pekka says:
Osman to Valencia for a hit?
January 14 at 9:07 am
Galwayred says:
I used my wild card and just want to make sure I made the right decisions so please comment,
Previous team-Vorm Ruddy
Simpson Jones Kompany BAE Enrique
Nani Bale Walters Sinclair Osman
RVP Ade Sturridge
Current Team- Vorm Bogdon
Simpson Enrique Evans Caulker BAE
Gerrard Bale Walters Dempsey Sinclair
RVP Ade Sturridge
January 14 at 9:51 am
starmanager says:
I liked the team you had before and you should maybe have waited with the WC and only used your 1 FT to change out osman for Giggs or maybe ben arfa?. But I do like that you put in Gerrard, I think he will score against Stoke or at least have an assist to either bellamy or carroll.
January 14 at 9:43 am
starmanager says:
OKAY! need some help before the deadline from my fellow fantasy companions!
My team:
Vorm
Jones – BAE – Enrique –
Nani – bale – donovan – Walters
RVP – Ade – Sturrigde
Bench: Hennessy, Simpson, Caulker, Osman (in that order)
I would say I have a fairly good team except Walters against Pool and Donovan against Villa.
I was thinking about switching Osman for maybe James Milner (will he play?) or maybe Ben Arfa? any other suggestions?
Selling Osman will give me exactly 7.9 £.
January 14 at 8:27 pm
JackBauer says:
test
January 14 at 8:28 pm
JackBauer says:
sdiufhasldfusahf