Scout Picks – Gameweek Twenty-Two
Filed under: Scout Picks - Posted by: Sir Paulos
There’s no denying this week’s a tricky one. A glance at the Captain Poll on the front page sums up just how undecided most of us are. Nevertheless, the Scout Selection Committee have knocked our heads together and, after much deliberation, roll out our XI for the weekend ahead:
Simon Mignolet is the first of two Sunderland players to make their way into the Scout Picks this weekend. The Belgian looks to have established himself as the Black Cats first-choice between the sticks under Martin O’Neill and has conceded just 2 goals in three appearances since recovering from a facial injury. Swansea make their way to the Stadium of Light and with Brendan Rodgers’ side netting just 8 times on the road so far, a Sunderland clean sheet looks promising.
A home clash with Blackburn seems just too enticing to leave out Leighton Baines. The most reliable creator in the Everton set-up, Baines’ left flank delivery and set-piece prowess are always likely to cause problems for Steve Kean’s side. Rovers have failed to record a single clean sheet all season and with captain Chris Samba itching for a move away from Ewood Park, the problems seem to never cease for the Lancashire outfit, both on and off the field.
Martin Skrtel keeps his place in the XI after returning a clean sheet last week. With many of the top sides facing tricky fixtures, Liverpool travel to the Reebok, where Bolton have scored just 2 goals in their last four home games. Kenny Dalglish’s side have already picked up 5 clean sheets on the road and, with aerial ability always threatening at set-pieces, Skrtel offers a chance of points at both ends of the pitch.
We’ve opted for Robert Huth for precisely the same reasons as Skrtel. The Stoke centre-back has scored just once this term but has registered plenty of attempts and is always liable to find the back of the net- his 6 goals last season stand testament to that. West Brom visit the Britannia this weekend and with just a single goal in their last four games, have been particularly toothless of late.
Clint Dempsey gets the nod ahead of Fulham’s home clash with Newcastle. Alan Pardew’s visitors may be missing their first-choice midfield engine-room, with Cheik Tiote unavailable and Yohan Cabaye a doubt, and Dempsey’s predatory instincts could be set to make the under-strength Magpies suffer at the Cottage tomorrow afternoon. Though Fulham lost the reverse fixture back in late August, there’s no guessing who grabbed their consolation in the 2-1 defeat.
We can’t ignore Jonathan Walters’ home record. Helped by his spot-kick duties, the out-of-position midfielder has averaged 6.8 points per game at the Britannia and has returned double figures three times in front of his own fans. With strike-partner Peter Crouch scoring just 2 home goals in comparison, Walters looks the likeliest to net against a West Brom side that have picked up a single point from their last four fixtures.
Stephane Sessegnon’s upturn in form mirrors that of Sunderland’s more than any other Black Cats player. Flourishing up front since the arrival of Martin O’Neill, the Benin international has returned 2 goals and 3 assists in his last five appearances under the new boss. With the Wearsiders picking up seven points from a possible nine at the Stadium of Light since Steve Bruce left, Sessegnon seems primed for more attacking returns as Swansea pay visit tomorrow afternoon.
Our final midfield choice is Steven Gerrard. Last week saw the Liverpool skipper manage his first ninety minutes since gameweek 9, after a season blighted by groin and ankle injuries. Now fully recovered, Gerrard is set to lead the Reds into battle at the Reebok tomorrow evening against a Bolton side with a single home victory all season. With set-piece and spot-kick duties on his side, Gerrard has the perfect chance to kick-start his campaign into gear.
Arsenal are afforded a chance for vengeance this Sunday as Man United make their way to the Emirates. The Gunners will still be smarting from that 8-2 hammering back in August and Robin Van Persie will be keen to make amends after his spot-kick miss at Old Trafford last time round. Arsene Wenger will have his side fired up for this one and, with 18 goals in his last nineteen matches, the Dutchman is in the form of his life. Many of you agree with his prospects; he leads the way in the Captain Poll this evening, with 14% of your votes.
We draft in Sergio Aguero ahead of Man City’s home showdown with Spurs. He may have failed to score in his last six on the road but the Argentine enjoys home comforts more than most, netting 10 of his 14 goals at the Etihad. Aguero has failed to score or assist only once in front of his own supporters so far this season and is a strong contender to return attacking points yet again as the league leaders look to do the double over Harry Redknapp’s visitors.
Steven Fletcher is our cut-price forward option. The Wolves man has been in exceptional form of late, grabbing 6 goals in his previous eight league games and was afforded a brief second half sub appearance in the FA Cup defeat by Birmingham, with Mick McCarthy intent on keeping him fresh for the weekend. A home clash with Aston Villa is up next for the Scot and plenty Fantasy managers have backed him this week- he’s already risen by 0.2 ahead of the midlands derby.
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“Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season.”
Sir Paulos @ffscout_paulos
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January 20 at 11:55 pm
UBS United says:
Please rate…. especially bench.
Krul (Lindegaard)
Senderos – Jose Enrique – (Evans J, Taylor, Simpson) * Not sure which two i should bench
Dempsey – Mata – Valencia – Sessegnon – (Bale)
Van Persie – Aguero – Helguson
Am i crazy to play Helguson over Bale?
QPR at home to Wigan … Tottenham away to Man City who have 5 clean sheets in last 6 games.
Any thoughts would be awesome, thanks guys
January 21 at 12:21 am
Gavin - Give Walter a Knighthood!! says:
Bale on my bench this week as well
January 21 at 12:08 am
JuanMataBeast says:
Who should I play out of these 3 pick 1 Ben arfa, r Taylor or bale
January 21 at 6:29 am
sackenfox says:
raylor
January 21 at 12:20 am
Gavin - Give Walter a Knighthood!! says:
Who to capt out my front 7 this week
Walters, Dempsey, Sess, Silva, RVP, Fletcher, Roo
I’ve gone Roo at the moment as I really don’t like that Arsenal def
And am I also mad to have Bale on my bench this week
January 21 at 7:56 am
oxido_76 says:
I think Roo is the best choice… (Walters 2nd choice IMO)
I’ve benched Bale too
January 21 at 12:38 am
Clover says:
Cahill or Raylor ?
January 21 at 1:09 am
Lucky_2010 says:
rtaylor and i think cahill probably on bench ……
January 21 at 1:58 am
jgiunta9 says:
Caulker , BAE, J Evans, Simpson and Shotton… Pick 3?
January 21 at 7:54 am
oxido_76 says:
Evans Simpson Shotton, maybe Caulker instead of Evans
January 21 at 3:02 am
THE BAD says:
Rooney and Walter
or
Aguero and Dempsey
?
January 21 at 3:24 am
jgiunta9 says:
aguero and Dempsey
January 21 at 3:08 am
ifanck says:
Please rate my WC team
Hart, Lindegaard
Enrique, Brown, Taylor, Simpson, Senderos
Bale, Silva, Walters, Sessegnon, Dempsey
Rvp, Aguero, Fletcher
January 21 at 7:47 am
UBS United says:
Great!!! Bench Taylor, Simpson, …. maybe Bale
I have 11 of those 15 players too!!
January 21 at 3:41 am
DanValkar says:
who to captain? RVP-Aguero-Lampard-Bale ?
January 21 at 3:45 am
Rooney Tunes says:
Guys is dropping Nani > Dempsey a flash in the pan decision?
It will also allow Ade > Aguero, but just not sure I feel that confident in Dempsey…
January 21 at 5:56 am
socallife says:
How can you see if someone in your league has played their wildcard?
As well, if I use my wildcard, can I make further changes after confirming?
January 21 at 7:49 am
Keith says:
i have just 2 players from the scout picks and 3 from totalfpl.. talk about differentials
January 21 at 7:54 am
Keith says:
Pick one to start/order of potential
Shotton Caulker BAE
January 21 at 8:01 am
oxido_76 says:
1° Shotton
2° Caulker
3° BAE
January 21 at 7:54 am
arsenalforever says:
Please rate my team
Krul, (Vrom)
Simpson,Jose Enrique,Assu ekotto, (McAuley ,Neil Taylor)
Lampard,Gerrard (vc),Bale,Dyer, (scholes)
Aguero, fletcher, RVP(c)
I am confused about bench and captain.
Thank You
January 21 at 7:59 am
oxido_76 says:
Not sure about Scholes, McAuley, Lampard and Assou Ekoto…
Just one city coverage…
Silva instead of Lampard
Sessegnon instead Scholes
January 21 at 8:16 am
Joey Barton and Friends says:
Guys, I reckon Cahill will start but sure about Sturridge. Also have Shotton on the bench who I would like t o play. Anyone know anything here to help me?
January 21 at 8:47 am
IamSuarez says:
Rooney, van persie, Rooney, van persie? All morning flicked between them both for captaincy, this is tough!
January 21 at 10:13 am
numchar says:
RVP
January 21 at 8:55 am
lippy-king says:
Nani out for gerrard worth a 4 point deduction?
January 21 at 9:50 am
22yards says:
Dilemma – with a few tough games to pick coming up I’m torn between wild carding and sticking with my ramshackled team:
Al-Habsi
Jones Brown Walker Simpson Taylor
Mata Bale Muamba
Rooney(c) Ade(can’t play)
The ‘broken’ bench
:
Osman Tiote Yakubu Szczesny
a) wild card it
b) stick and tinker
leaning towards b) and I have 1FT so could do one of these:
- Ade > Sturridge
- Osman > Dempsey
- Bale > Gerrard
what ya say peeps?
January 21 at 10:18 am
numchar says:
Vorm
Clark, Gabbidon, Taylor R
Dempsey, Walters, Silva, Bale, Sessegnon
Sturridge, Van Persie
Bench: Jones, Caulker, Morison
Is that good? And who should i make captain?
January 21 at 11:15 am
starmanager says:
seems good.. i would maybe play morrison over bale, but city have savic in back four (who is shit) and he could easily ruin citys clean sheets, but tottenham will miss ade (even though he hasnt scored in 4 games. Chelsea is struggeling in the back and i dont think gary cahill will start and the morrison/holt companion have should that they can score against anyone.
Just a thought!
I would go for morrison.
January 21 at 10:46 am
ifanck says:
Please rate my team
Hart
Enrique, Brown, Senderos
Silva, Walters, Sessegnon, Dempsey
Rvp, Aguero, Fletcher
Bench: Lindegaard, Bale, Simpson, Taylor
Who do you think i should choose for the captain??
January 21 at 11:16 am
starmanager says:
cpt aguero
January 21 at 11:19 am
WillyP says:
Quick one lads. Cabaye or Sinclair?
January 21 at 11:20 am
starmanager says:
cabaye is injured, sinclair
January 21 at 11:23 am
WillyP says:
Krul
Woodgate – A Ekotto – Enrique
Ben Arfa or Sinclair – Cabaye – Bale – Gerrard
Dzeko – Sturridge – RVP
Who for Captain?
January 21 at 11:24 am
starmanager says:
gerrard cpt