Scout Picks – Gameweek 6
Filed under: Scout Picks - Posted by: Paul
Sometimes deadlines can be a blessing. With the Scout Picks set for an earlier-than-usual appearance this evening as Mark and Granville are off to the Sky Sports Fantasy Football show, we’ve come to a conclusion after a Friday full of deliberation. The injury news and doubts in today’s press conferences saw us shuffle our options behind the scenes several times until, finally, the decision was made:
Simon Mignolet gets the nod between the sticks with a home clash against Wigan this Gameweek. With doubts still hovering over Carlos Cuellar’s fitness, the Belgian offers the safest route into Martin O’Neill’s backline tomorrow as the Black Cats seek to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
Sitting second in this week’s Captain Poll, Leighton Baines welcomes Southampton to Goodison on the back of a brilliant run of form. The Everton left-back has been drafted in by huge amounts of Fantasy managers prior to tomorrow’s showdown and has so far registered bonus points in all but one of his opening five Gameweeks. The visitors have conceded nine goals in their two away games so far and Baines’ creativity on the flank could well prove instrumental for the Toffees.
We were all set to go with Rafael but Sir Alex Ferguson’s admission that Scott Wootton will feature for United tomorrow has us steering clear of the Red Devils’ defence, purely as a precautionary measure. Instead, we’ve changed tact completely and moved Glen Johnson out of the Differentials and into the Scout Picks. The Liverpool full-back makes his way to Carrow Road to square up to a Norwich side that have scored just twice this season – he’s shown plenty of attacking intent without quite producing the goods so far but could come to the fore as Brendan Rodgers’ side seek to clinch their first win of the season and climb out the drop zone.
We’ve opted for Robert Huth ahead of Stoke’s home clash against Swansea. Always likely to offer a threat from set-pieces in the opposition box, the Potters’ centre-half looks a good bet for a clean sheet too – Stoke have conceded just once at home over their two games against Arsenal and City, while Swansea have failed to find the net in their last two.
Hatem Ben Arfa gets the nod ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Reading tomorrow. The Frenchman has played a significant part in his side’s attacking forays so far – with a couple of goals and an assist already accrued, Ben Arfa has been involved in half the Magpies’ six goals in the first five Gameweeks. Averaging just over six points per game, the winger will surely have a major say as Alan Pardew’s side attempt to register back-to-back victories for the first time this term.
We sang the praises of Santi Cazorla in a Watchlist article earlier this week and draft in the Arsenal playmaker ahead of tomorrow’s early kick-off against Chelsea. After a couple of opening blanks, the former Malaga man has now produced attacking returns in the subsequent three fixtures and is already a huge influence on his side’s attacking endeavours.
Marouane Fellaini is nailed-on this week. Three goals and an assist in the first five is indicative of his new attacking role in support of a lone striker. Southampton have been particularly vulnerable in the air thus far – a fact David Moyes will be more than aware of ahead of tomorrow’s Goodison match, with the Belgian’s aerial prowess set to pester the Saints from start to finish.
In an unprecedented move, we’ve also opted for Fellaini’s fellow-Toffee Steven Pienaar. Yesterday’s Members article highlighted both players’ recent displays and with Fellaini essentially playing as a forward right now, Pienaar’s left flank forays could prove the undoing of Southampton’s right-back Nathaniel Clyne tomorrow. Fellaini may have hogged the headlines, but the South African sits just four points behind his team mate in the FPL standings and an average of 5.6 points per game is too difficult to overlook.
A crucial spot-kick winner at Anfield took Robin Van Persie’s tally to five in three starts for United. Top of the scoring charts already, the Dutchman’s presence is already proving crucial at his new club and despite the return to fitness of Wayne Rooney, it’s Van Persie – as always – who gets the nod for tomorrow’s Old Trafford showdown with Tottenham.
Back from a knee injury that curtailed his opening to the season, we opt for Sergio Aguero ahead of City’s trip to Fulham. The Argentine was the only forward rested by Roberto Mancini for the midweek Capital One clash against Villa and while doubt may linger over Carlos Tevez’s game time, his compatriot looks nailed-on to start. Factor in his double in the corresponding fixture last time round and he could well be set to open his account for the campaign as the champions look to get back to winning ways.
Steven Fletcher makes his Scout Picks debut for the season. The new Sunderland striker welcomes Wigan to the Stadium of Light and is afforded a strong chance to maintain his record of scoring in every game for the Wearsiders so far. With a single clean sheet and 10 goals conceded in the first five, the Latics have been far from resilient at the back ahead of tomorrow’s encounter.
The attacking threat of Ciaran Clark earn the Villa defender a place on the bench. Paul Lambert’s side welcome West Brom to Villa Park on the back of a thrilling Capital One Cup win at City in midweek and with a goal to his name already this season and a clean sheet in his last home game, the cut-price centre half offers potential at both ends of the pitch.
A home clash against Swansea offers Jon Walters the chance to pick up the points. The Irishman certainly prefers the home comforts of the Britannia and has made a reasonable start to the season, with a goal and couple of assists already accrued. With Tony Pulis desperate for a first win of the new campaign, Walters could be set to prosper tomorrow against a Swans’ side that has shipped seven in the last three Gameweeks.
Demba Ba is given a last-minute call-up after Dimitar Berbatov was ruled out for Fulham by Martin Jol earlier this afternoon. With three goals in the last couple of Gameweeks, the Newcastle forward has soared in the FPL standings and is second only to Carlos Tevez for forwards – with the Royals yet to register a clean sheet, Ba looks likely to be handed plenty opportunity to continue his strong recent showings at the Madejski tomorrow afternoon.
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Chelsea have conceded more with Cech in goal :? Would love to see Courtois come back and play 1st choice » -
FFS Yossi, what a rubbish player he's become. Won't be sad to see the back of him after tonight. Same can't be said for… » -
I was trying to have a break over the Summer Declan. When does it start? I suppose I could give it a little go. » -
Yossi!!!??? » -
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This many goals is boring ;) »
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September 28 at 10:00 pm
Derrick says:
who to captain. Aguero,Suarez,Fellaini,Baines,Demba Ba?
September 29 at 7:38 am
ace_the says:
rvp of course
September 28 at 10:09 pm
MrFlibbles says:
I’ve brought in Fletcher for berba and made him captain, i’m basing the move on berba missing 2 gameweeks and losing ‘some’ value, and hope to bring berba back when he’s fit and facing a decent home fixture.
September 28 at 10:18 pm
50 Fent says:
Is it totally crazy to leave torres on the bench and start sterling instead in a 3 5 2 formation?!!
September 28 at 11:41 pm
DownUnder says:
Probably, but Sterling is highly likely to provide assists or even a goal for Suarez, whilst Torres is just lacking form right now and can’t seem to find the net. But then again, Torres did manage to break the drought and scored a goal a few days ago. It’s a value judgement really.
September 28 at 10:21 pm
asap says:
who to capt..rvo or baines
September 28 at 10:22 pm
asap says:
who to capt..rvp or baines
September 28 at 11:41 pm
DownUnder says:
RvP
September 28 at 10:31 pm
Mind over Mata says:
All set:
Begovic
Baines (vc) / Gibbs / Cuellar
Hazard / Cazorla / Michu / Pienaar
Tevez / RVP (c) / Lambert
Foster; Sterling / Demel / Hughes
Should I be playing Sterling?
September 28 at 10:47 pm
OneTwo says:
Possibly Sterling over Lambert only bc you have Baines.
September 28 at 11:42 pm
DownUnder says:
If you want you can swap sterling for Tevez. The auto sub will do it for you anyway i guess.
September 28 at 10:45 pm
OneTwo says:
Team is a mess…WC time; All salient thoughts greatly appreciated.
Hart (cerny)
Cole Jenkinson Rangel (hangeland, fabio)
Hazard Bale Guthrie Noble Maloney
RVP Tevez (berbatov)
.5 in the bank
WC:
Forster (mccarthy)
Baines Rangel Jenkinson (clyne demel)
Hazard BenArfa Pienaar Sterling (guthrie)
RVP Kun Fletcher
1.1 in the bank
September 28 at 11:43 pm
DownUnder says:
Your forward 8 look amazingly similar to mine. So thumbs up!
September 28 at 10:53 pm
philman says:
Looking for advice of a different kind. I am in a work league based on the Telegraph FFL scoring. Can only make 3 pairs of changes a season as based on Excel.
I have 9.7m to spend on a defender and a forward. I have narrowed it to a choce between:
Gibbs + Podolski
or
Riether + Aguero
You need to consider these are for season keepers and it’s for a squad of 11, so if they don’t play, it is no points.
Best choice?
September 28 at 11:49 pm
DownUnder says:
Gibbs + Podolski. Almost 100% guaranteed to play. Aguero? Not really.
September 28 at 11:47 pm
DownUnder says:
Morning Everyone (or evening elsewhere)!
I’ve made 3 transfers already, Aguero -> Suso -> Suarez (I regret the first transfer now)
That means 8 points as I’ve already used my WC.
But Berbie Doll just decided to have a red exclamation mark when I woke up this morning so I’ve got myself a bit of a dilemma. Should I use Guthrie for him ( and play 3-5-2) or should I make another transfer for another player?
September 29 at 12:15 am
tahoe don says:
Guthrie would be my play. Wait 24 hours for more info on Berbs
September 29 at 12:18 am
DownUnder says:
Thanks
September 29 at 12:03 am
Miguel Angel Jimenez, True athlete of the game... says:
A)Demel
B)Davies
C)Gorkss
Pick one to start?
September 29 at 12:07 am
DownUnder says:
A
September 29 at 12:14 am
tahoe don says:
Demel
September 29 at 12:07 am
Somalion - The Deadline day has robbed us of the greatest player to ever grace the EPL. Nicklas Bendtner, you will be missed. says:
Was thinking of bringing in Cazorla for Kagawa but Spurs haven’t kept a cleanie this season… Slightly preferring his chances over Cazorla’s right now…
September 29 at 12:08 am
DownUnder says:
kags cheaper too
September 29 at 2:06 am
Scribe says:
Kags’ form is pants
September 29 at 12:26 am
davkee says:
Have Berba in at the moment but have enough cash spare for Jelavic, would you make the trade?
September 29 at 12:49 am
Yossi: The Jewish Iniesta-Real Sociedad. "Quotation is a servicable substitute for wit" - W Somerset Maugham says:
Yes
September 29 at 12:26 am
top556677 says:
So is the consensus to 4pt berb out or wait til tomorrow afternoon for the free transfer? I have sterling as my 1st sub…
September 29 at 12:37 am
Ramboros says:
Wait for FT.
September 29 at 12:43 am
ToTT Starrs says:
Baines for Capt this week?
September 29 at 12:46 am
ToTT Starrs says:
Demel or Kompany to start?
September 29 at 2:06 am
Scribe says:
What’s wrong with Berbs? Too many fags?
September 29 at 2:34 am
tone says:
there is 4 forwards in your scout picks – and not enough defenders !!!
September 29 at 4:02 am
cheweydewey says:
What do u guys think?
Mignolet
Baines/Cuellar/Rangel (Jenkinson/Gorkks)
Cazorla/HBA/Fellani/Michu (Hazard)
Fletcher/Jelavic(C)/Suarez(VC)
A-Should I bench Michu for Hazard?
B-Who should get the armband?
C-Should i bench Rangel for Jenks?
September 29 at 10:43 am
stewcald says:
I’m I the only one to think that RVP may not start due to CL game next week?
September 29 at 10:57 am
DonTanTilla says:
Yaya or Pienaar??? I have Aguero Fellani and Baines already and I don’t need the extra money.